| Whether you’re walking down a suburban sidewalk | | | | thought a simple beeping noise or muted car horn |
| in the middle of the day or taking a late-night bike ride, | | | | could suffice, and in that case, an individual’s brain |
| it’s usually customary to look both ways before | | | | would easily be able process the noise and identify the |
| crossing the street. Sometimes however, you can be | | | | source. In response to that: “We decided that if |
| wrapped up in a conversation on your cell or just | | | | we’re going to do this, if we have to make sound, |
| concentrated on the last mile of your ride. In those | | | | then we’re going to make it beautiful and |
| situations, if a cars coming, you’ll know by the | | | | futuristic,” says the team of Nissan’s noise and |
| natural sound of its motor and your instincts will tell you | | | | vibration expert, Toshiyuki Tabata’s. “We |
| to stop and look to make sure the car isn’t turning | | | | wanted something a bit different, something closer to |
| and the path is safe to cross. Could you imagine if | | | | the world of art.” |
| vehicles made no natural noise, being wrapped up in | | | | This issue of artificial noises has been so prevalent for |
| that conversation, forgetting to look both ways, and | | | | Nissan; they’ve even brought in several music |
| one was about to make a right hand turn in your path | | | | composers to create a pleasant sound, or melody, to |
| as you cross? | | | | be sounded from these vehicles, which are expected |
| This is the problem with hybrid and electric cars, like | | | | to be released within the next few years. These |
| the Nissan Leaf. Although a “silent car” seems | | | | engineers are looking for a noise that stands apart |
| like such an innovative feature and a pristine | | | | from the standard engine noises we hear on the |
| engineering feat, it actually puts pedestrians in | | | | street every day. |
| harm’s way. For the safety of all, US lawmakers | | | | When the first Leaf arrives at an NJ Nissan dealer, |
| are considering to push for a bill for cars to be | | | | I’m interested to hear the sound that they decide |
| mandatorily equipped with a fictional sound, for the | | | | on. |
| safety of pedestrians. It’s also reported that Nissan | | | | This artificial noise system would be set to activate |
| is voluntarily looking into adding the artificial sound | | | | upon turning the key in the ignition (or pushing a button |
| feature to their vehicles. Rumor is that the noise that | | | | at this point in the game), and would turn off at |
| would be built into the Leaf would resemble a flying | | | | approximately 15 mph, which is when the tires are |
| saucer or flying cars in sci-fi films. This sound was | | | | assumed to be generate their own noise on the road. |
| described as a “low whizzing” noise. | | | | Engineers have agreed to focus on finding “the |
| I’m not sure whether these noises are the most | | | | right tune at the right volume so people are alerted but |
| accurate and beneficial for the Leaf, but it’s a step | | | | don’t find the sound annoying.” |
| in the right direction to protect the safety of | | | | Usually when I go to a New Jersey Nissan dealership, |
| pedestrians, especially those who are hearing impaired | | | | I’m there to check out the sights, but before long, |
| and rely on noise for traffic safety. I would have | | | | I’ll have to check out the sounds as well. |