New siren for emergency vehicles shakes the ground
If the flashing blue lights, ear-piercing sirens, and blazing headlamps of a police car or an ambulance do not manage to attract your attention, then shaking the earth under your feet surely will
When is the last time you felt the earth move under your feet? The police wants you to have that feeling, especially during emergencies. The latest innovation to help emergency workers make their way through traffic is the Rumbler — a device which relies on the power of sound to shake the road up to 200 feet ahead of the vehicle. Already in use by forces in several states, and designed by Oak Brook, Illinois-based Federal Signal, the clever system comprises a pair of high-output sub-woofers and an amplifier. Although it is no louder than a regular siren, the Rumbler emits low-frequency sounds which shake the ground, and the shockwaves are picked up by other road users. It is designed for use in ten-second blasts in areas where it is safe for motorists to get out of the way, as long as they know what is coming. The idea is that drivers would “feel” the emergency vehicle approaching, even if the audio system in their own car is turned up to full volume, muffling the siren of the emergency vehicle.
