Pedestrians might be alerted about approaching e-scooters by sound in a brand new trial starting in this 12 months.
Researchers from University College London’s PEARL workforce are working with transport and e-scooter operators to develop a sound to assist stop collisions, enhance security and higher accessibility on roads.
Mike Bell, chief of nationwide public affairs on the charity Thomas Pocklington Trust stated: “It’s vital transport works for everyone, and is safe and inclusive for those with different needs. Introducing a clear, recognisable sound to e-scooters will help protect blind and partially sighted people and other potentially vulnerable road users by helping them to detect when a vehicle is approaching.”
The sound will first be developed to be used of TIER, Lime and Dott e-scooters and the analysis is supported by Transport for London, TfL’s Independent Disability Advisory Group and incapacity charities.
It might be developed in London in February and trialled later this 12 months, in hopes of constructing a ‘universal standard’ for e-scooter operators throughout the UK to use to enhance security and incapacity entry on roads.
The joint-initiative follows engagement with consultants from incapacity and entry charities comparable to Transport for All, the Thomas Pocklington Trust and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Professor Nick Tyler, director at UCL PEARL, stated: “This is an exciting project to work on to ensure that people with a range of different capabilities can know when an e-scooter is nearby and how it is moving, enabling them to comfortably and safely move around the urban environment.
“We plan to test a range of combinations of sounds and environments at UCL PEARL with people who are less likely to detect e-scooters nearby, so that we create a sound that works for all,” he added.
“It is a huge scientific challenge, but one that will enable everyone to feel comfortable with this new form of micro-mobility that is quickly growing in popularity.”
The tasks builds on present commitments and work from London’s e-scooter operators, who’ve described it as a step ahead for higher accessibility and built-in metropolis areas.
Fred Jones, vp and regional common supervisor of TIER, stated: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at TIER, and so we are proud to have initiated and funded this project to develop an inclusive and effective sound for e-scooters
“Working with experts at UCL to develop an inclusive sound for e-scooters will be crucial to protecting pedestrians and road users potentially made vulnerable through the introduction of this new transport mode to the UK,” he added.
Alan Clarke, senior director of coverage at Lime – the world’s largest supplier of shared electrical autos – stated: “Lime is proud to be leading the way in developing e-scooter services which are safer, more accessible and better integrated with other users of urban space.
He added: “As a business operating across five continents, Lime is uniquely placed to bring together work happening around the world to design e-scooter services which are more inclusive. We look forward to feeding outcomes from this project into that global effort, as well as here in the UK.”