Development of a next-generation audible pedestrian alert system for EVs having minimal impact on environmental noise levels project eVADER

The silent operation of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), at low speeds, has provoked significant concern regarding increased risk to pedestrian safety. Conversely, the relative silence of EVs is seen by others as a positive feature and a rare opportunity to reduce environmental traffic noise levels. The prevailing solution to the pedestrian safety concern is to add artificial sounds to EVs, in order to improve their detection by pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. However, this approach may not satisfy the need to reduce environmental traffic noise pollution levels, unless a solution can be found which satisfies these conflicting requirements. eVADER (electric Vehicle Alert for Detection and Emergency Response) is a European Commission, part funded, project which is developing a next-generation audible alert system solution for EVs and HEVs. The prime objective of eVADER is to develop a practical solution whereby effective audible alert systems added to EVs can have minimal impact on environmental noise levels. This paper describes the eVADER pedestrian alert system concept and practical installation of the system into a Nissan LEAF demonstrator car, together with initial results of system performance.