Umair Gaines
Electric streetcars, also known as trams, trolley cars, or trolleys, have been around since the late 19th century. They are powered by electric motors and run along tracks in the streets. Due to their electric nature, they produce less noise than traditional combustion engine vehicles. Electric streetcars, like electric vehicles, have a more uniform pitch and lower overall noise level. This lack of engine noise means that the primary sources of sound are the motor whine, wind, and road noise. Automakers and sound designers have been hired by streetcar and electric vehicle companies to create unique and captivating sounds for their vehicles, enhancing the driving experience and adhering to safety regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle engines | Almost silent |
| Warning sounds | Necessary for safety |
| Prevent collisions with pedestrians and cyclists | |
| Required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | |
| Should be audible from 16 feet away or more, depending on speed | |
| Above 20 mph, wind resistance and tire friction create noise | |
| Below 20 mph, discrete yet attention-grabbing sounds are needed | |
| Warning sounds may be driver-triggered or automatic | |
| Sounds vary from artificial beeps and chimes to those that mimic engine sounds and tires moving over gravel | |
| Automakers have hired DJs, composers and audio engineers to design sounds | |
| Sounds should be easy to hear but not unreasonably loud and annoying | |
| Sound waves from multiple electric vehicles may cause interference | |
| Sound design can elevate the driving experience and stir emotions |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric streetcars are almost silent
- Warning sounds are added to electric vehicles to alert pedestrians
- Automakers are investing in sound design to improve the driving experience
- Early streetcars were horse-drawn or battery-powered
- Electric streetcars replaced horse-drawn cars in the US between 1902 and 1917
Electric streetcars are almost silent
The quiet nature of electric streetcars and electric vehicles more generally has prompted safety concerns. Studies in the United States and Britain found that electric vehicles were more likely than gas-powered cars to hit cyclists and pedestrians due to their lack of noise. To address this issue, government regulators have mandated that electric vehicles emit warning sounds at slow speeds to alert pedestrians and cyclists of their presence. These warning sounds vary from clearly artificial noises like beeps and chimes to more natural engine sounds or the soft roll of tires on pavement.
Automakers have also recognised the opportunity to use sound design to elevate the driving experience in electric vehicles. They have invested in creating electric car sounds that not only adhere to safety regulations but also enrich the overall driving experience. For example, Hyundai Motor's N Active Sound + offers three different sound styles for the same car. BMW's creative director for sound design, Renzo Vitale, created a unique sound for one of their electric vehicles by tinkering with a recording of a waterfall, amplifying certain frequencies and eliminating others.
The wide variety of electric vehicle sounds allows automakers to give each model a distinctive voice that represents their brand. However, this variety of sounds can also make it harder to recognize electric cars as they approach, especially as their sound waves may overlap and create "interference". This phenomenon, according to Michael Roan, a mechanical engineering professor at Pennsylvania State University, will make it "really hard to recognize where anything’s coming from".
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Warning sounds are added to electric vehicles to alert pedestrians
Electric streetcars, also known as trolleys, have been around since the late 19th century. They are powered by electric overhead wires and run along main roads or sometimes trackless routes.
Electric streetcars are almost silent, and this is a common feature of electric vehicles in general. Electric vehicle engines are so quiet that they can be dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists who may not hear them approaching. To address this safety concern, warning sounds are added to electric vehicles. These warning sounds are designed to alert pedestrians and cyclists to the presence of a nearby electric vehicle, especially those who are visually impaired.
Government regulators in several countries have introduced legislation mandating the use of warning sounds for electric vehicles. For example, the United States' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established rules that require electric vehicles to produce a sound at speeds up to 18.6 mph (30 km/h). The European Union has also implemented the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) regulation, requiring all new electric vehicles to emit a sound when travelling at speeds below 20 km/h.
The warning sounds vary from clearly artificial tones like beeps and chimes to more realistic sounds that mimic engine noise or tires moving over gravel. Some automakers have hired DJs, composers, and audio engineers to create unique warning sounds for their electric vehicles. The challenge is to design a noise that is audible and effective without being unreasonably loud or annoying.
Additionally, some manufacturers are exploring the use of directional speakers to focus the sound in the direction the vehicle is moving, further enhancing its effectiveness without contributing to noise pollution.
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Automakers are investing in sound design to improve the driving experience
Electric vehicle engines are almost silent, so much so that they pose a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists. To address this, automakers have started investing in sound design to improve the driving experience and comply with safety regulations.
To avoid collisions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has mandated that electric vehicles be audible from at least 16 feet away, depending on their speed. Automakers have thus hired DJs, composers, and audio engineers to design unique sounds for their electric vehicles. These sounds not only serve as warning signals but also aim to create an immersive and captivating driving experience. For instance, Hyundai Motor's all-new IONIQ 5 N features N Active Sound+, which delivers a unique sound experience. Similarly, BMW's creative director for sound design, Renzo Vitale, created a range of high and low frequencies inspired by the waterfall in his Italian hometown of Isola del Liri.
Another challenge that sound designers face is "interference," which occurs when electric car sound waves overlap, causing some frequencies to amplify or cancel each other out. This can make it difficult to locate the source of the sound. To tackle this, sound designers aim to create a variety of artificial sounds that extend beyond the typical hum of propulsion. They also develop welcome and farewell sounds to create a holistic and memorable driving experience, transforming the act of driving into a fully sensory journey.
In addition to safety and experience enhancement, sound design can also increase the resale value of a car. A premium audio system can improve commutes and long drives by providing an immersive and enjoyable auditory experience. Wireless connectivity is a key feature, allowing for seamless integration with mobile devices and streaming services.
As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, the importance of sound design becomes increasingly evident. It influences how drivers interact with their cars and shapes the future of mobility, making electric cars not just a sustainable choice but also an exhilarating experience.
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Early streetcars were horse-drawn or battery-powered
The history of streetcars, also known as trams or trolleys, dates back to the early nineteenth century. Early streetcars were either horse-drawn or powered by storage batteries, which were costly and inefficient. In 1834, Thomas Davenport, a blacksmith from Vermont, invented a battery-powered electric motor and used it to operate a small car on a short track. Despite the existence of automobiles, streetcars continue to be used in many cities worldwide.
Horse-drawn streetcars played a significant role in the development of cities like New York. In the nineteenth century, New York's population nearly doubled every twenty years, and the streetcar network expanded to meet the growing demand for transportation. By the 1870s, the horse-drawn streetcar was an integral part of the city's transportation system, with New Yorkers taking over 100 million trips annually. However, horse-drawn streetcars presented challenges such as the need for stables, grooming, feeding, and the management of large amounts of manure.
The transition from horse-drawn streetcars to electric-powered trams began in the late nineteenth century. Several inventors and companies contributed to this shift. Werner von Siemens pioneered electric traction in the early 1880s in Berlin, and Frank J. Sprague's work with overhead wires and trolleys was instrumental in the United States. By the 1890s, conventional electric tramlines were replacing horsecar lines in Europe and the United States, and by 1902, electric streetcars rapidly replaced horse-drawn cars in American cities.
The introduction of electric streetcars brought about a significant change in technology and sound. Electric vehicles, including streetcars, produce less noise than traditional combustion engine vehicles due to the absence of engine noise. This quieter operation can make it challenging for pedestrians and cyclists, especially those with visual impairments, to be aware of their presence. To address this issue, warning sound devices have been implemented in some electric vehicles, designed to alert pedestrians and enhance safety. These sounds may be triggered by the driver or automatically activated at low speeds, ranging from artificial beeps and chimes to simulated engine noises.
Automakers have also recognized the importance of sound design in electric vehicles, aiming to elevate the driving experience and stir emotions. The absence of engine noise in electric cars results in a more uniform pitch, and automakers have invested in creating sounds that adhere to safety regulations while enriching the driving experience. Hyundai Motor, for example, has introduced the IONIQ 5 N with its N Active Sound+, offering three available sound styles to enhance the electric car driving experience.
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Electric streetcars replaced horse-drawn cars in the US between 1902 and 1917
The introduction of electric streetcars brought significant advantages over horse-drawn cars. Firstly, they eliminated the need for animal labour, removing the costs associated with feeding and cleaning up after the animals. Secondly, electric streetcars offered improved carrying capacity, with heavy eight-wheeled cars replacing smaller four-wheeled ones. The new steel bodies of the streetcars also provided greater durability compared to their wooden predecessors.
The adoption of electric streetcars transformed urban transportation in the US, with many cities extending their streetcar lines into the suburbs. This expansion contributed to the growth of towns and small cities, solidifying the streetcar's role as a vital mode of public transit.
While electric streetcars revolutionized mobility, they presented a unique challenge in terms of sound. The absence of the traditional internal combustion engine resulted in lower noise levels, which some drivers found monotonous. This lack of engine noise led to a reduction in sound-induced emotions associated with driving, impacting the overall driving experience.
To address this issue, automakers have invested in sound design to enhance the driving experience of electric cars. These designs aim to not only improve safety but also evoke emotions and elevate the overall drive. By utilizing cutting-edge technologies, such as driving simulators and virtual reality, engineers are crafting captivating soundscapes that shape the narrative of each journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric vehicles are almost silent, so automakers have added sounds to alert pedestrians and cyclists. These sounds are designed to be easy to hear without being unreasonably loud and annoying.
Electric streetcars need to make a sound to warn pedestrians and cyclists of their approach. Studies in the US and Britain found that electric vehicles are more likely to hit cyclists and pedestrians than gas-powered cars.
Electric streetcars make a variety of sounds, from warning chirps to the soft purr of an engine or the slow roll of tires across pavement. Automakers have hired DJs, composers, and audio engineers to give their vehicles unique voices.
The sound is produced by external speakers, which are usually placed behind one of the wheels.
No, there are many different sounds that electric vehicles can make. Automakers want each model to have a distinctive voice that represents their brand. However, some advocates argue that EV sounds should be standardized to make them easily recognizable.
