Trials which hope to make e-scooters safer are being trialed at the University of Salford.
The university will develop three sounds to be used as industry stanard that it is hoped will lead to a fall in e-Scooter collisions.
Dr Antonio Torija Martinez is the lead investigator on the project, called Safe and Sound, at the university.
He said: “We are designing the sound to increase the noticeability of the scooters, but also consistently testing to make sure they are not annoying or contributing to the sound pollution within Salford already.
”We started the project in April last year with a study. Funding came from the university as well as the company we are working with, Dott, to help optimise the potential of the project.”
When asked about the sounds specifically, Dr Martinez continued: “The sounds are made by a specialist; we have not built it from scratch.
“We have based them off of regulation in place for electric cars, knowing there are requirements already for levels and pitch.
“We started off with nine sounds, which we have now narrowed down to three, which are now being tested in realistic environments in Salford such as Peel Park and Media City.”
The need for these sounds come from concerns that the silent motors in the scooters currently are causing danger to pedestrians. A recent study by the Department for Transport highlighted the importance of this project. The figures show that there were 1095 e-Scooter riders injured in collisions and 12 deaths occurred, one of which was a pedestrian.
Salford-based charity, Reading Paper for the Blind, are supportive of the idea. Vice chair Trevor Palmer said: “I think it would be a benefit for everybody, including able-sighted people.
“We’ve all had it when someone rides up behind us and we can’t hear them at all. And then we’re left thinking what if I took a step to the side, what would have happened.”
When presented with the prospect of the sounds being added, Mr Palmer added: “I’d like there to be a constant whirring sound, though I’m not sure at what level.
“I wouldn’t really like a constant speaking sound, like large vehicles do, they are quite annoying. Though saying that, I’d rather be annoyed than in hospital.”
Within Salford, the majority of e-Scooters users are students. Matthew Green, a student at the university and frequent e-Scooter rider said “I feel some people do take liberties when riding the scooters.
“Some riders ride on pavements with no consideration for the pedestrians they are sharing the pavements with, or even themselves.
“Despite saying this, scooter riders are on the pavements in the first place because we’re scared of motorists.
“Motorists should pay more attention to scooter riders, that way we’d feel more safe and not have a reason to go on the pavements and potentially put pedestrians, especially those that are partially sighted or blind, at risk.”
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