The German Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBSV) is pushing for more recognizable vehicle noises from electric cars than the prescribed Avas warning system. A study by insurers’ accident research has shown that e-cars, even with Avas, are estimated to be slower than they are when accelerating. “This can lead to wrong decisions when it comes to the question of whether a street can still be crossed safely. And that is of course associated with great danger,” said association president Hans-Werner Lange of the German press agency.
“With a combustion engine, you can hear how hard someone is stepping on the gas, whether a vehicle is accelerating gently or vigorously.” With Avas you can’t hear that so well, so it has to be more meaningful. “It would certainly be helpful if the industry based itself on the usual combustion engine noise”. It is also important that the noise should not switch off when the vehicle reaches a speed of 20.
Avas warning system mandatory since 2021
The Avas (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) warning system has been mandatory for electric cars since 2021, as the industry association VDA explained. In order to support people with limited visual perception when driving in traffic, it generates an artificial driving noise – because otherwise e-cars could be almost silent, especially at low speeds.
The VDA explained that internationally, with the participation of worldwide associations for the blind and visually impaired, agreement had been reached on a uniform provision for the audibility of low-noise vehicles. Manufacturers would have the opportunity to design the acoustic signals technically freely within this specification. “In some cases, noises from combustion engines are also imitated,” said the spokesman.
Improvements for Avas
In a study presented in 2022, the insurers’ accident research recommended optimizing the Avas specifications. Among other things, the focus should be on recognizing accelerations. It was also recommended to extend the range of use of the system to speeds of over 20 kilometers per hour. DBSV President Lange said with reference to the studythat the tire noise from reaching 20 km/h is not enough to clearly hear whether and how a car is accelerating.
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