Optimisation of sound localisation for emergency vehicle sirens through a prototype audio system

Abstract

This paper examines the issues associated with the localisation of emergency vehicles. A combinatory warning system is then proposed that aims to provide drivers of both civilian and emergency vehicles with a different sequence of auditory cues as well as an in-cabin warning when an emergency vehicle is in the close vicinity. For the early testing of this hybrid alert system, we used the modelling techniques currently available to the UK emergency services in order to estimate the concurrent efficiency of the siren's auditory warnings. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.