7.1 Presentation ‘Effects of Age on Feasible Sound Level of AVAS’ (GTRQRTV-01-05e)
by Dr. Katsuya Yamauchi, Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University
Dr. Yamauchi presented the results of a study that was intended to determine the typical effect of increasing age on the ability of perception of acoustical information. For this purpose, probands of age between 20 and 70 were invited to detect:
a) Adequate Level (clearly audible and can be reliably detected)
b) Minimum Level (just audible)
from 5 different sounds in 3 different (but typical) ambient noises. The sounds are composed according to the requirements from the UNECE guideline as laid down on R.E.3 (GTRQRTV-01-08e)
The analyses of test data revealed the following:
• The adequate level of older subjects does not differ from other age groups
• The minimum level of older subjects was higher than of younger ones
• The adequate level of young subjects was slightly higher (use of headphone audio?)
• Quieter environment (less than 50 dB?) possibly requires a higher level than the environmental noise level
• One of the sounds is clearly more difficult to detect than the others.
7.2 Presentation ‘CARS 21– A strategic vision towards increased internationalisation in the automotive sector’ by the European Commission (GTRQRTV-01-12e)
by Dr. Nickolas Kakizis, European Commission
The representative from the European Commission (COM) in detail explained the background and motivation of the so called CARS21 (Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st Century) initiative and its impact on European competiveness and international legislation.
It was pointed out that the problem of vehicle noise emissions is a complex issue with many parameters and diverse factors involved. In terms of perceptibility of quiet vehicles he explained that the COM aims at creating a technology neutral legislation which however may also result in the installation of a sound generating device. At the same time he pointed out the importance of not mandating the fitment of such a device. In contrast the decision to fit AVAS to a vehicle shall remain optional for the vehicle manufacturer. He also stressed that technology evolves and that other means of communication between vehicle and pedestrian may require further assessment at a later stage.
The representative from Germany particularly supported the EC’s request not to mandate the fitment of a sound generating device but to keep it optional. The Chairman pointed out that the starting point for the development of the GTR shall be threefold: the NPRM, the Annex 2 of the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) and the official report (see item 5). COM expects the QRTV-GTR to exhibit the necessary flexibility, based on the potential developments in technology or proposals made by interested stakeholders. Its proposal is not in contradiction to either the development of a ‘device-related GTR’, regulating the requirements of a device to be fitted, or to a ‘vehicle-GTR’ regulating the behaviour of a vehicle as a whole notwithstanding its technical realisation. Germany proposed the development of a qualification test which would allow vehicles from the scope to be excluded from the requirements in the case they emit sufficient sound without additional measures.