Home // SMART ACCESSIBILITY 2025, The Tenth International Conference on Universal Accessibility in the Internet of Things and Smart Environments // View article
Authors:
Flaithrí Neff
Dónal Fitzpatrick
Gerard Craddock
Carly Cheevers
Aislinn Conway
Keywords: inclusive design; electric vehicles; pedestrian safety.
Abstract:
The increasing adoption of quiet Electric Vehicles (EVs) raises significant concerns about pedestrian safety, particularly for individuals who rely on auditory cues to navigate public spaces, such as those with visual disabilities. Although UNECE Regulation No. 138 mandates the use of Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) in EVs to mitigate this risk, notable gaps remain between regulatory requirements and the real-world effectiveness of AVAS. This paper presents findings from the Electric Vehicle Acoustics (EVA) survey, which collected responses from pedestrians with and without visual disabilities to assess their experiences and perceptions of EV sounds. Statistical analysis, including median differences, effect sizes, and correlation matrices revealed disparities in how different pedestrian groups perceive AVAS effectiveness. The results underscore the need to refine AVAS design, ensuring improved real-world applicability and greater safety for visually disabled pedestrians.
Pages: 13 to 19
Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2025
Publication date: May 18, 2025
Published in: conference
ISSN: 2519-8378
ISBN: 978-1-68558-274-6
Location: Nice, France
Dates: from May 18, 2025 to May 22, 2025