Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010
PL 111-373 (S.841), enacted 01/04/2011

124 STAT. 4086 
PUBLIC LAW 111–373—JAN. 4, 2011 
Public Law 111–373 
111th Congress 
An Act 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to study and establish a motor vehicle 
safety standard that provides for a means of alerting blind and other pedestrians 
of motor vehicle operation. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pedestrian Safety Enhancement 
Act of 2010’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act— 
(1) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Transpor-
tation; 
(2) the term ‘‘alert sound’’ (herein referred to as the 
‘‘sound’’) means a vehicle-emitted sound to enable pedestrians 
to discern vehicle presence, direction, location, and operation; 
(3) the term ‘‘cross-over speed’’ means the speed at which 
tire noise, wind resistance, or other factors eliminate the need 
for a separate alert sound as determined by the Secretary; 
(4) the term ‘‘motor vehicle’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 30102(a)(6) of title 49, United States Code, 
except that such term shall not include a trailer (as such 
term is defined in section 571.3 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations); 
(5) the term ‘‘conventional motor vehicle’’ means a motor 
vehicle powered by a gasoline, diesel, or alternative fueled 
internal combustion engine as its sole means of propulsion; 
(6) the term ‘‘manufacturer’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 30102(a)(5) of title 49, United States Code; 
(7) the term ‘‘dealer’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 30102(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code; 
(8) the term ‘‘defect’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 30102(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code; 
(9) the term ‘‘hybrid vehicle’’ means a motor vehicle which 
has more than one means of propulsion; and 
(10) the term ‘‘electric vehicle’’ means a motor vehicle with 
an electric motor as its sole means of propulsion. 
SEC. 3. MINIMUM SOUND REQUIREMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. 
(a) RULEMAKING REQUIRED.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary shall initiate rule-
making, under section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, to 
promulgate a motor vehicle safety standard— 
Deadlines. 
Pedestrian Safety 
Enhancement 
Act of 2010. 
49 USC 30111 
note. 
Jan. 4, 2011 
[S. 841] 
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08:34 Dec 07, 2012
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124 STAT. 4087 
PUBLIC LAW 111–373—JAN. 4, 2011 
(1) establishing performance requirements for an alert 
sound that allows blind and other pedestrians to reasonably 
detect a nearby electric or hybrid vehicle operating below the 
cross-over speed, if any; and 
(2) requiring new electric or hybrid vehicles to provide 
an alert sound conforming to the requirements of the motor 
vehicle safety standard established under this subsection. 
The motor vehicle safety standard established under this subsection 
shall not require either driver or pedestrian activation of the alert 
sound and shall allow the pedestrian to reasonably detect a nearby 
electric or hybrid vehicle in critical operating scenarios including, 
but not limited to, constant speed, accelerating, or decelerating. 
The Secretary shall allow manufacturers to provide each vehicle 
with one or more sounds that comply with the motor vehicle safety 
standard at the time of manufacture. Further, the Secretary shall 
require manufacturers to provide, within reasonable manufacturing 
tolerances, the same sound or set of sounds for all vehicles of 
the same make and model and shall prohibit manufacturers from 
providing any mechanism for anyone other than the manufacturer 
or the dealer to disable, alter, replace, or modify the sound or 
set of sounds, except that the manufacturer or dealer may alter, 
replace, or modify the sound or set of sounds in order to remedy 
a defect or non-compliance with the motor vehicle safety standard. 
The Secretary shall promulgate the required motor vehicle safety 
standard pursuant to this subsection not later than 36 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—When conducting the required rule-
making, the Secretary shall— 
(1) determine the minimum level of sound emitted from 
a motor vehicle that is necessary to provide blind and other 
pedestrians with the information needed to reasonably detect 
a nearby electric or hybrid vehicle operating at or below the 
cross-over speed, if any; 
(2) determine the performance requirements for an alert 
sound that is recognizable to a pedestrian as a motor vehicle 
in operation; and 
(3) consider the overall community noise impact. 
(c) PHASE-IN REQUIRED.—The motor vehicle safety standard 
prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall establish 
a phase-in period for compliance, as determined by the Secretary, 
and shall require full compliance with the required motor vehicle 
safety standard for motor vehicles manufactured on or after Sep-
tember 1st of the calendar year that begins 3 years after the 
date on which the final rule is issued. 
(d) REQUIRED CONSULTATION.—When conducting the required 
study and rulemaking, the Secretary shall— 
(1) consult with the Environmental Protection Agency to 
assure that the motor vehicle safety standard is consistent 
with existing noise requirements overseen by the Agency; 
(2) consult consumer groups representing individuals who 
are blind; 
(3) consult with automobile manufacturers and professional 
organizations representing them; 
Determinations. 
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124 STAT. 4088 
PUBLIC LAW 111–373—JAN. 4, 2011 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 841: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 156 (2010): 
Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 15, 16, considered and passed House. 
(4) consult technical standardization organizations respon-
sible for measurement methods such as the Society of Auto-
motive Engineers, the International Organization for Standard-
ization, and the United Nations Economic Commission for 
Europe, World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations. 
(e) REQUIRED STUDY
AND REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 48 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall complete a study and report to Congress as to whether 
there exists a safety need to apply the motor vehicle safety standard 
required by subsection (a) to conventional motor vehicles. In the 
event that the Secretary determines there exists a safety need, 
the Secretary shall initiate rulemaking under section 30111 of 
title 49, United States Code, to extend the standard to conventional 
motor vehicles. 
SEC. 4. FUNDING. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, $2,000,000 of any 
amounts made available to the Secretary of Transportation under 
under section 406 of title 23, United States Code, shall be made 
available to the Administrator of the National Highway Transpor-
tation Safety Administration for carrying out section 3 of this Act. 
Approved January 4, 2011. 
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