sory nature of traffic detection and avoidance, and 
require that vehicles emit a minimum level of sound 
designed to alert all pedestrians, especially blind pe-
destrians, to the presence of such vehicles. 
SEC. 4. STUDY OF METHOD TO PROTECT BLIND AND 
OTHER PEDESTRIANS. 
(a) REQUIRED STUDY.—Not later than 90 days fol-
lowing enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct 
a study to— 
(1) determine the most practical means of as-
suring that blind and other pedestrians receive sub-
stantially similar information to information such 
pedestrians receive from sound emitted by vehicles 
that use internal combustion engines; 
(2) determine the minimum level of sound emit-
ted from a motor vehicle that is necessary to provide 
blind pedestrians with the information needed to 
make safe travel judgments; and 
(3) consider whether the minimum level of 
sound requirement or another method that conveys 
information essential for pedestrian safety provides 
the most reliable information to support safe travel 
of blind and other pedestrians, including— 
(A) which method provides blind and other 
pedestrians the greatest amount of information 
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regarding location, motion, speed, and direction 
of travel of a motor vehicle; 
(B) the cost and feasibility of each method, 
including the cost and feasibility of equipping 
each individual pedestrian with any technology 
necessary to receive information; and 
(C) which method assures the least reli-
ance by blind and other pedestrians upon tech-
nology they must possess when traveling and 
thereby provides the greatest amount of inde-
pendence and opportunity for spontaneous trav-
el for these pedestrians. 
(b) REQUIRED CONSULTATION.—When conducting 
the study, the Secretary shall— 
(1) review all available research regarding the 
effect of traffic sounds on pedestrian safety, and 
commission such research as may be necessary; 
(2) consult consumer groups representing indi-
viduals who are blind, other pedestrians, cyclists, 
and advocates for children; and 
(3) consult with automobile manufacturers and 
professional organizations representing them. 
(c) REPORT.—The Secretary shall complete the study 
within 2 years of its commencement and shall transmit 
a report of the findings to Congress. 
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SEC. 5. MINIMUM SOUND REQUIREMENT FOR MOTOR VEHI-
CLES. 
Not later than 90 days after conclusion of the study 
required under section 4, the Secretary shall promulgate 
a motor vehicle safety standard under section 30111 of 
title 49, United States Code, to establish a method for 
alerting blind and other pedestrians of the presence and 
operation of nearby motor vehicles to enable such pedes-
trians to travel safely and independently in urban, rural, 
and residential environments. Such standard shall provide 
that every motor vehicle be equipped with a method— 
(1) to provide blind and other pedestrians with 
a non-visual alert regarding the location, motion, 
speed, and direction of travel of a motor vehicle that 
provides substantially the same protection of such 
pedestrians as that provided by a motor vehicle with 
an internal combustion engine; and 
(2) that will permit a blind or other pedestrian 
to determine the location, motion, speed, and direc-
tion of travel of a motor vehicle with substantially 
the same degree of certainty as such pedestrians are 
able to determine the location, motion, speed, and 
direction of travel of a motor vehicle with an inter-
nal combustion engine. 
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SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Transportation such sums as may be necessary 
to carry out this Act. 
SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The standard promulgated under section 5 shall 
apply to all new motor vehicles manufactured or sold in 
the United States beginning on that date that is 2 years 
after the issuance of such standard. 
Æ 
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