It could also help them along the path to becoming legal. Will it work? Only time will tell…
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(Image credit: Tier)
(Image credit: Tier)
The University College of London (UCL) has teamed up with London’s electric scooter operators Tier, Lime and Dott to develop a ‘universal sound’ for rental e-scooters to alert pedestrians and other roads users of their approach.
This aims to fix the main complaint people have with the electric scooters currently being used on the pavements around the UK and could help to improve safety across the entire electric scooter industry, helping pedestrians, particularly those with sight loss, detect when an e-scooter is approaching.
The main question we have is whether this sound will also be added to electric scooters that people purchase, like those included in ourbest electric scooterguide.
The sound will take into account a number of individuals needs, including those with sight loss, hearing loss and neurodiverse conditions. It will be tested at the PEARL research facility, which can create different city environments, before being tested on public roads and pavements. This will ensure it works for people in a real-world setting before it gets fully rolled out.
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The joint initiative is an e-scooter industry first and follows extended engagement with disability experts, including Transport for All, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Professor Nick Tyler, Director, UCL PEARL said:
Personally, I hope this will also help move electric scooters along the path to becoming legal, as I think they’re a convenient and environmentally friendly way to get around a city.
If you could choose the sound for an electric scooter, what would it sound like? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
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