Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) Sound Design
Research and sound design project to produce an AVAS sound for electric and hydrogen buses operating in NSW.
A research and design project to create a new Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) sound for Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) operating in NSW.
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The project will be delivered in partnership with iMOVE Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Objectives of the research
- Production of a standard, sector-specific AVAS sound for Transport’s growing fleet of Zero Emission Buses.
- Consideration of road safety for vulnerable road users in the Australian context and support Transport’s 2026 Road Safety Action Plan: Towards zero trauma on NSW roads.
Background
Transport for NSW (Transport) is transitioning its fleet of over 8,000 diesel and natural gas buses to zero emissions technology, as part of the Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) Program. ZEBs are very quiet at low speed, which may pose a risk to people’s safety, especially 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.
The project will take into consideration:
- current standards applicable to the AVAS sound
- the effectiveness of the AVAS sound in terms of audibility, recognisability, learnability, and other safety-critical features,
- the needs and requirements of a diverse group of key stakeholders,
- the impact of the AVAS sound on our cities' soundscape and how it can contribute to a more pleasant experience for the wider community.
The AVAS sound will comply with current standards and will be developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including vulnerable road user groups, other state jurisdictions, passengers, bus operators, bus drivers and more.
What is an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System?
An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is a safety feature installed in electric and hybrid vehicles which generates an artificial sound to alert pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users of the presence of an otherwise near-silent vehicle.
Electric and hybrid vehicles operate quietly at low speeds and an AVAS will enhance road safety by providing an audible warning to help prevent accidents involving pedestrians who may not hear the vehicle approaching.
The AVAS sound is only required at slow speeds up to 20 km/hr under Transport’s road safety standards and the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). At higher speeds the sound from tires and wind are sufficiently loud as to not require an AVAS.
Learn more about vehicle standards in Australia.
To learn more about ZEB road safety standards, please visit Zero Emission Buses – Road Safety.
What steps has Transport taken to date?
In late 2023, Transport introduced a new road safety standard (TS 00090:1.0) that applies to all Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses (HFCEB). The standard requires that:
- “ZEBs shall be fitted with an AVAS system designed to meet the technical and performance requirements in section 6 and annex 3 of United Nations Regulation 138”
- “The AVAS system fitted to TfNSW buses shall have the technical capability to be updated to accept a new sound after entering service to futureproof the AVAS system to allow for adoption of a uniform sound.”
To learn more about ZEB road safety standards, please visit Zero Emission Buses – Road Safety.
Who are vulnerable road users?
Vulnerable road users (VRU) are considered to include pedestrians, motorcycle riders, cyclists, children 7-years and under, the elderly and users of mobility devices.
Why is Transport transitioning all public buses to zero emissions technology?
Zero Emission Buses is a multi-billion dollar program to transition the state’s fleet of over 8,000 diesel and natural gas buses to zero emissions technology. This transition delivers on the NSW Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and will provide more comfortable journeys and liveable places for our passengers and communities.
The first stage of the ZEB Program is underway and involves introducing more than 1,200 new electric buses for Greater Sydney customers by 2028. The first stage also includes upgrading 11 existing bus depots to support the new fleet and a new battery electric bus depot will be built in Macquarie Park. Along with planned new battery electric buses and those already in service, there will be around 1,700 zero emission buses operating on Sydney roads by the end of 2028.
Next steps
Research is currently underway with design workshops planned to start from late April 2024. Further updates will be provided as this project progresses.
This research is being delivered in partnership with iMOVE and supported by the CRCs program, an Australian Government initiative linking researchers with industry and government. For further information please contact: HF@transport.nsw.gov.au.