Back-up beeper

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A back up beeper warns of a garbage truck backing up as it works its way around a cul-de-sac.

A back-up beeper also known as back-up alarm, backup beeper, or vehicle motion alarm, is a device intended to warn passersby of a vehicle moving in reverse. They typically produce 1000 Hz pure tone beeps at 97-112 decibels.[1]

Matsusaburo Yamaguchi of Yamaguchi Electric Company, Japan, invented the back-up beeper which was first manufactured as model BA1 in 1963.[2]

In the United States, back-up beepers are required by OSHA for many types of construction equipment, and if the owner is to change the alarm, OSHA requires engineer or manufacturer approval of the change.[3] Alarms are typically loud because manufacturers do not know the ambient noise level where the machines will be used.[1]

Back-up beepers are criticized by the public and in scientific literature. Beepers top lists of complaints to government roadbuilders relating to road construction noise. There is published concern that people habituate to the ubiquitous noise diminishing its effectiveness. Strategies such as adjusting the volume according to the ambient noise and changing the tone to include sounds above 1600 Hz and below 800 Hz for improved localization would improve the alarm, but improvements are not cost-effective for the manufacturer and, if implemented by the equipment owner, introduce liability for the owner.[1]

Brains are not adapted for dealing with the repetitive and persistent sound of back-up beepers, but more towards natural sounds that dissipate. When the sound is perceived as irritating, it can break concentration.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Holzman, DC (January 2011). "Vehicle Motion Alarms: Necessity, Noise Pollution, or Both?". Environ Health Perspect 119. pp. a30–33. 
  2. ↑ "Corporate Profile". Triton Signal USA. Retrieved February 11, 2012. 
  3. ↑ "OSHA Safety and Health Regulations for Construction". Retrieved June 20, 2012. 
  4. ↑ Wolchover, Natalie (September 2012). "Everyday Things that Make You Dumb: Why mundane experiences can throw your mental muscles for a loop". Reader's Digest. p. 37. Retrieved October 28, 2012. 
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