Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System sound design

The Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) Sound Design project is a research-based initiative to produce a standard, sector-specific AVAS sound for Transport for NSW (Transport)’s growing fleet of Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs). The project was conceived and initiated by Transport and will be delivered in partnership with iMOVE Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Participants

• Transport for NSW
• University of Technology Sydney
  

Project background

As part of the Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) Program, Transport is transitioning the NSW public transport bus fleet of over 8,000 diesel and natural gas buses to zero emissions technology by 2047. ZEBs are very quiet at low speed which may pose a risk to people’s safety, especially to vulnerable road users including people with vision-impairment.

In late 2023, Transport proactively introduced a new road safety standard requiring all ZEBs to be fitted with an AVAS. Transport is currently investigating options to introduce a standardised, sector specific Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) sound for its growing fleet of ZEBs in compliance with current road safety standards. A standardised AVAS sound will enhance people’s safety by making it easier for people to identify an approaching bus and distinguish it from other road vehicles.

This project aims to advance these fields by enquiring into:

• current standards applicable to the AVAS sound;
• the needs and requirements of a diverse group of key stakeholders regarding the AVAS sound characteristics and impacts;
• the effectiveness of the AVAS sound in terms of audibility, recognisability, learnability, and other safety-critical features;
• factors influencing the performance of ZEB AVAS sound in terms of the acoustic experience for diverse user groups in the Australian context;
• sound preference and quality judgements in listening experiments related to vehicle sounds;
• how accommodating aural, visual, and cognitive diversity can influence the development of acoustic design for public transport; and
• the impact of the AVAS sound on our cities’ future soundscape and how it can contribute to a more attractive experience for the wider community.

The AVAS sound will comply with current standards and be developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including vulnerable road user groups, other state jurisdictions, passengers, bus operators, bus drivers and more.

Project objectives

1. Consideration of road safety for vulnerable road users, in the Australian context and support Transport’s Safety Action Plan: Towards zero trauma on NSW roads.
2. Production of a standard, sector-specific Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) sound for Transport’s growing fleet of ZEBs.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!