Police use ground-shaking subwoofers to move traffic
10-30-07, 08:38 AM
#1
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Police use ground-shaking subwoofers to move traffic
Police use ground-shaking subwoofers to move traffic
Posted on Tuesday 30 October 2007
Police in the U.S. have started using a new siren that rather than blast a loud wail will shake the ground and everything on it to get motorists’ attention. Squad cars in Washington DC are currently being fitted with the new high-tech siren and other states, including New York, are likely to follow.
The siren works by projecting inaudible soundwaves that are powerful enough to shake everything around the vehicle, including the earth. The system uses two subwoofers and an amplifier to pump out soundwaves that can be felt up to 60m away. Little wonder Washington police have nicknamed it the “Rumbler.”
One officer told the The Washington Post that “it vibrates everything” and that it “definitely attracts a lot of attention.”
Motorists often totally ignore emergency vehicles because they get distracted by loud stereos or general traffic noise, something the use of the Rumbler would avoid. We’re seriously hoping the technology remains in the hands of the police. The last thing everyone needs is the hip hop crowd getting their hands on it and disrupting traffic everywhere.
Posted on Tuesday 30 October 2007
Police in the U.S. have started using a new siren that rather than blast a loud wail will shake the ground and everything on it to get motorists’ attention. Squad cars in Washington DC are currently being fitted with the new high-tech siren and other states, including New York, are likely to follow.
The siren works by projecting inaudible soundwaves that are powerful enough to shake everything around the vehicle, including the earth. The system uses two subwoofers and an amplifier to pump out soundwaves that can be felt up to 60m away. Little wonder Washington police have nicknamed it the “Rumbler.”
One officer told the The Washington Post that “it vibrates everything” and that it “definitely attracts a lot of attention.”
Motorists often totally ignore emergency vehicles because they get distracted by loud stereos or general traffic noise, something the use of the Rumbler would avoid. We’re seriously hoping the technology remains in the hands of the police. The last thing everyone needs is the hip hop crowd getting their hands on it and disrupting traffic everywhere.
10-30-07, 10:16 AM
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thats pretty retarded, so now i hear a big thumping sound and my windows start shaking while im driving, and im so supposed to go, oh police car?
not - what the **** is going on, earthquake?
imo sirens and flashing lights work well enough, its just a shame cops dont use them, within the past week i've seen highway patrol cars going well over 100 mph without any sort of warning light or noise on
not - what the **** is going on, earthquake?
imo sirens and flashing lights work well enough, its just a shame cops dont use them, within the past week i've seen highway patrol cars going well over 100 mph without any sort of warning light or noise on
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10-30-07, 11:02 AM
#10
I nominate this for the top 2007 stupid idea of the year award.
If this thing was directional then i think it would be cool but i bet this is just going to rumble everything in every direction. not very cool. low frequencies are harder to hear and it's very tough to discern the direction of the source so although the bass notes will carry further, it's just going to confuse people who are farther away.
A peripheral issue due to this "new siren" - I predict officers filing for medical leave earlier in their careers due to loss of hearing.
If this thing was directional then i think it would be cool but i bet this is just going to rumble everything in every direction. not very cool. low frequencies are harder to hear and it's very tough to discern the direction of the source so although the bass notes will carry further, it's just going to confuse people who are farther away.
A peripheral issue due to this "new siren" - I predict officers filing for medical leave earlier in their careers due to loss of hearing.
10-30-07, 11:21 AM
#12
Super Moderator
thats pretty retarded, so now i hear a big thumping sound and my windows start shaking while im driving, and im so supposed to go, oh police car?
not - what the **** is going on, earthquake?
imo sirens and flashing lights work well enough, its just a shame cops dont use them, within the past week i've seen highway patrol cars going well over 100 mph without any sort of warning light or noise on
not - what the **** is going on, earthquake?
imo sirens and flashing lights work well enough, its just a shame cops dont use them, within the past week i've seen highway patrol cars going well over 100 mph without any sort of warning light or noise on
10-30-07, 11:57 AM
#14
Zombie Slayer
You guys talking about confusing with someone's system didn't read. The "siren" uses an inaudible frequency.
That said, this is destined for rapid failure.
1. The size of the sub required to produce constant, powerful notes below roughly 10htz is going to be upwards of 18". More than likely closer to 20". Where is that going to go in a squad car??
2. There is NO way, I repeat, NO WAY this can be durable enough to maintain it's integrity AND survive the daily abuses a squard car gets.
3. Power. Deep cycle marine batteries?? Cop cars already run HO alternators and such. What's going to power this beast? Amplifiers?? The power required to use this "siren" will be substantial. Fitting an amp or some such power supply raises the question again of space and the vehicles electrical system.
That said, this is destined for rapid failure.
1. The size of the sub required to produce constant, powerful notes below roughly 10htz is going to be upwards of 18". More than likely closer to 20". Where is that going to go in a squad car??
2. There is NO way, I repeat, NO WAY this can be durable enough to maintain it's integrity AND survive the daily abuses a squard car gets.
3. Power. Deep cycle marine batteries?? Cop cars already run HO alternators and such. What's going to power this beast? Amplifiers?? The power required to use this "siren" will be substantial. Fitting an amp or some such power supply raises the question again of space and the vehicles electrical system.
10-30-07, 07:30 PM
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You guys talking about confusing with someone's system didn't read. The "siren" uses an inaudible frequency.
and regardless of inaubile or not, cant sounds that loud cause alot of damage to ear drums and hearing?