THEREFORE it increases awareness. The whole "its never been tested" or "there are no tests for it" are misleading because the true test is about sound (any kind of sound) and our ability to detect it (even when distracted, or muffled). That test has been done to death.
So you began by stating that you wanted scientific proof to be given that :loud pipes will save lives". Then you post the above statement basically stating that scientific testing is not relevant.
I began this thread thirsty for answers. I did obviously more reading than you have, and have come up with a revised thesis which was in my post that you are commenting on..What part of that sentence made you think I was "basically stating that scientific testing is not relevant"? I VERY specifically stated the tests are DONE, and over, and the proof of theory exists.
Sound frequency, frequency strength, rate of motion, sound muffling through cars insulation, direction, height. Through much interference we can detect sound and we can also pin point where the sound is coming from to a VERY high degree. Individuals differ of course in their ability due to genetics, age, and other contributing factors, but it will be detectable and is measurable nonetheless. All of the bolded elements are a factor in our ability to detect an object making sounds. High frequency sounds are easier to identify than lower frequency sounds etc.. these can be researched individually.
If all of the above are true factors and need to be taken into account as to weather the listener can hear and effectively detect where the noise is coming from, then how does a rider, (without knowing all the above variables), determine if the other person is effectively aware of the sound and it's source and location?
They are all true and proven. Your brain is hardwired for this. There is no debate over whether this is true or not, it would take a simple search on google for ya..
These are the BASIC principals behind it:
Two cues for localizing a sound source are: inter-aural intensity difference (IID) and inter-aural timing difference (ITD) Your brain does this for you without having to think upon it.
Therefore, using a logical reasoned approach, a rider should NOT rely on the louder pipe but rather their ability using ALL available information, as well as their riding abilities, to avoid danger and ride safely.
Of course, as we have previously discussed, however that does not take scientific facts away from this problem. Does a sound alert us to a presence? Yes.. are there other factors that could prevent it.. sure.. but the science proves that we are hardwired to notice the sound. Even if it does cause some confusion from time to time.
Perhaps a better question to have posed is can louder pipes "assist" with sound awareness of other road users, rather than the posed question do louder pipes save lives.
I restated a much better question in my last post.. "Does a modified exhaust system (which increases the DB levels by no less than 10dB) contribute to increased awareness for surrounding vehicles and pedestrians, of the modified vehicle." To that I would say yes. It most certainly does.
One "may" find scientific data to determine that the louder noise assist other road users in detecting and locating the source of a sound.
YUP... pretty easily actually, and there are many of them.. and that is what this is all about..
Although, even that can be debated (perhaps by people unwilling to understand or learn about our hearing a human physiology) as again look at a siren in a urban setting, with echos and poor sight lines it can sometimes take a few seconds for a driver to determine accurately where the sound is coming from, (I never mentioned how long it would take, only that it is inevitable in most situations) (where is the vehicle). I doubt there exists scientific data that will state without doubt that loud pipes save lives, again one could argue if they did then bikes with straight pipes would never be involved in fatal collisions.
See that is the problem. People like you will always try and point out that "I doubt there exists scientific data that will state without a doubt that loud pipes save lives" Scientific data already exists that proves WITHOUT A DOUBT that humans have that ability to locate a sound source. The sound source DOES NOT have to be a motorcycle. The theory has been proven that we have the ability. No need to do pointless tests with bikes if the principle of the argument is proven already.
small p - This is the number one cause of all strife..
