After an overview about the activities of the DBSV (Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehinderten Verband = German Association of the blind and partially sighted), the specific impacts of silent cars on independent travelling and the associated risk scenarios were presented.

In order to facilitate blind people’s right to be out in the streets and move around independently, all legislative work should take into account that this right is a human right enshrined in the Convention of Rights of Disabled People. The CRDP was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and has been ratified by many state parties in the world.

The DBSV therefore proposes the following actions and measures to be taken so to ensure the safety of blind and partially sighted citizens:
  • The AVAS system should be installed on all low sound level vehicles
  • The installation of the AVAS system should be mandatory
  • The sound produced by the AVAS system should be generated automatically at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
  • No On/off switch
  • Clear and easy indication of all modes of operation
  • Avoid natural and alarm sounds
  • Automatic operation

These requirements are explicitly supported by the NFB. OICA raised the question in how far existing problems with trolley buses, trams etc. are handled today. NFB replied that the danger arising from rail-bound means of transport clearly is lower.

OICA pointed out that if the sound differs as a function of vehicle classes with lower frequencies being mandatory for big vehicles, this risks being in conflict with environmental requirements due to bigger energy content of low frequencies.

UK asked for the need of sounds differing between forward and backward movement. This requirement is in conflict with UK national law which prohibits a backup alarm on private vehicles. For the NFB, a special backward sound would allow to prepare for a change in driving direction.