Electric vehicle warning sounds: On road and immersive audio detection results for 20 subjects

Abstract

The number of electric vehicles on the road is rapidly increasing. Due to the decreased sound produced by these vehicles at low speeds there is significant concern that pedestrians and bicyclists will be at increased risk of vehicle collisions. Because of this potential for collisions, govenrnemts have institutes regulations governing additive vehicle warning sounds for electric vehicles. This research presents results on the detectability of six electric vehicle acoustic warning sounds using two different hardware systems. Detectability was initially by on-road participant tests and replicated in an immersive reality lab. Results were analyzed through both mean detection distances and probability of detection. This research aims to verify the lab environment as it will allow for a broader range of potential test scenario’s, more repeatable tests, and faster test sessions. Along with pedestrian drive by tests, experiments were conducted to evaluate stationary vehicle acoustics, 10 and 20 km/h drive by acoustics, and interior acoustic impact of each warning sound.