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Are Present Horns, Whistles and Sirens Necessary for Communications?
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English
Abstract
Horns, whistles and sirens are commonly used to convey information concerning time, location or warning. Of major concern to the community are the audible warning systems used on emergency vehicles and trains. The various types of existing audible warning systems and their historical development are discussed in this paper, together with an analysis of their effectiveness in fulfilling their prime function - namely, to warn people of imminent danger.
It is concluded that such systems perform adequately in many situations, but not when the recipient of the warning signal is inside another vehicle. It is suggested that alternative means be developed for warning the occupants of vehicles of immediate danger so that audible warning systems of reduced acoustic power can be used to warn the pedestrian or other persons outside vehicles.
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Authors
Citation
Eldred, K. and Sharp, B., "Are Present Horns, Whistles and Sirens Necessary for Communications?," SAE Technical Paper 720640, 1972, https://doi.org/10.4271/720640.Also In
References
- “The Visibility and Audibility of Trains Approaching Rail-Highway Grade Crossings,” Federal Railroad Administration May 1971
- Wyle Laboratories
- “Audible Emergency Warning System Demonstration,” California Highway Patrol (Engineering Section) for the Rural Apparatus Standards Committee Fresno, California December 1968
- California Highway Patrol (Engineering Section) March 1969
- California Highway Patrol
- WyIe Laboratories Research Staff “Community Noise,” WR 71-17, Final Report to Environmental Protection Agency November 1971
- Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol
- Aulwurm H. C. “Analysis of Emergency Vehicle Auditory Warning Signals,” Research Report T-71-2 School of Industrial Engineering and Research Institute, University of Oklahoma 1971
- O'Connor T. J. “Remove Sirens - Reduce Accidents,” Traffic Digest and Review January 1956 4 6
- Curry G.J. Lyttle S. N. “The Speeding Ambulance - Does it Save Lives,” Traffic Safety August 1958 7