Summary

Background

In response to increased pollution and road congestion throughout the world, a new concept in urban mobility seems to be developing that will make way for cleaner, less energy-consuming, smaller vehicles that are easy to drive and suited to urban communities.

Since 1998, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has defined a low-speed vehicle (LSV) in the United States as “a 4-wheeled motor vehicle, other than a truck, whose attainable speed is more than 32 km/h (20 mph) and not more than 40 km/h (25 mph).” To date, about 30 American states have authorized the use of LSVs mostly on roads with speed limits of 56 km/h (35 mph). Thirteen of these states limit the on-road use of LSVs to electric LSVs exclusively. However, U.S. municipalities enjoy full latitude to restrict the on-road use of LSVs to certain areas of their jurisdictions.

In the summer of 2000, Transport Canada adopted regulations comparable to those in force in the United States, except that it authorized only completely non-polluting LSVs powered by electric motors. The provinces may eventually determine and adopt appropriate standards so that LSVs may be registered and authorized for use on some public thoroughfares.

Project

The main objective of the Assessment of Low-Speed Electric Vehicles in Urban Communities project, initiated and managed by the Centre for Electric Vehicle Experimentation in Quebec (CEVEQ), was to assess the integration of LSVs into urban traffic from the perspectives of safety and reliability.

The main organizing and funding partners of this project were Transport Quebec and Transport Canada’s Transportation Development Centre (TDC). The City of St. Jérôme, Hydro-Québec Laurentians and official suppliers – Global Electric Motorcars, Bombardier Inc., Dynasty Motorcar Corporation and Feel Good Cars Inc. – also contributed to the project and ensured that it went smoothly.

During a 12-week period, seven LSVs provided by four manufacturers were driven in the City of St. Jérôme, which has a population of 60,764 and covers an area of 89.3 km². The vehicles were driven a total of 6,067 km. The study was used to gather public opinion on the risks related to using these vehicles in normal city traffic.

A total of 53 participants from various backgrounds drove the LSVs for one-week periods and filled out the evaluation questionnaire. In addition, 126 people, including police officers and taxi drivers, were given the opportunity to submit their impressions of how well these vehicles integrated into city traffic.

When the pilot project was set up, LSVs were completely unknown to the residents of St. Jérôme. Appropriate signage was erected and an information campaign promoting caution was launched to raise public awareness of this new class of vehicles.

Study Findings

The information collected from the questionnaires filled out by the drivers and road users was compiled and analysed. It was then discussed during a focus group meeting attended by representatives of the two groups and project partners.

Safety Aspects

The study showed that the level of safety felt by the drivers varied depending on the type of road and urban area. It was found that roads considered less safe for LSVs were those with 50-km/h speed limits where the actual speed of traffic was usually higher, and roads with single-lane traffic in areas where passing posed a greater risk. In all, 56 percent of the LSV drivers said they felt safe at all times while driving the vehicles.

When the findings were analysed, it was found that one third of the LSV drivers felt the vehicles should have doors so that they would have a greater feeling of protection in the event of a collision. In addition, 66 percent of the LSV drivers felt that identifying signage on the LSVs increased their feeling of safety on the road.

Moreover, 64 percent of the LSV drivers said that the LSVs did not go fast enough to keep up with the flow of traffic at all times. In more specific terms, 97 percent suggested that the top speed of the vehicles should be increased. However, 47 percent of the road users felt that 40 km/h was an appropriate speed in the city.

Technical Characteristics

A total of 77 percent of the LSV drivers were pleasantly surprised by these small cars. Acceleration, attractiveness and vehicle handling were seen as the main strong points. However, vehicle range was the most criticized aspect.

It was found that additional features would make the vehicles safer – doors, a reliable power gauge, defogging equipment, windshield washers and a positive locking system to prevent the wheels from moving when the vehicles are stopped.

Urban Transportation Mode

St. Jérôme residents were very attracted to the idea of small, clean, silent-operating vehicles. In fact, 83 percent of the LSV drivers and 89 percent of the road users felt that LSVs had their place in the city. However, representatives of the MIRA Foundation said that in order to take persons with visual impairments into account, LSVs could be equipped with an appropriate system to warn people of their approach.

In all, 64 percent of the LSV drivers were interested in buying an LSV, although one third of them said they would wait until some improvements were made.

Conclusions

We were aware by the end of the tests that the LSV drivers and the public liked the LSV concept. Because this vehicle is new on the market, it is important that its introduction to on-road use be accompanied by regulations, adequate safety measures and better matching of the product to consumer needs. LSVs designed for the lifestyles of American retirement and other “gated” communities do not always meet the requirements of working people who could use an LSV to replace the second family car.

We found that LSVs in their current configurations cannot be allowed unrestricted use in all municipalities nor on all road systems, even urban road systems. However, we believe that LSVs are vehicles that meet both individual and community needs, can be safely driven in traffic and have their place in urban communities.

Recommendations

The Assessment of Low-Speed Electric Vehicles in Urban Communities project enabled us to develop the following recommendations for various manufacturers and levels of government.

Federal Government

• Require that the vehicles be able to maintain a minimum speed (32 km/h) in hilly road conditions.
• Require that additional safety features, such as motor brake systems, windshield wipers and defogging systems, be installed on all LSVs equipped with doors.
• Conduct studies to assess the impact of increasing the top speed of LSVs to 50 km/h.

Provincial Government

• Authorize the use of LSVs in areas with 50-km/h and lower speed limits, except in areas where actual known speeds are higher than authorized speeds (e.g., major arterial roads).
• Have municipalities participate in each phase leading up to the government’s possible authorization of LSV use on municipal roads.
• Prepare a guide for municipalities to help them facilitate the introduction of LSVs in municipal areas.
• Prohibit the use of LSVs in winter, except in cases where LSVs are adapted to winter conditions.
• Require the same driver’s licence and minimum age requirement for LSVs as for passenger cars.
• Conduct a national awareness campaign focussing on safety and environmental benefits.

Municipal Authorities

• In accordance with a guide prepared by Transport Quebec, determine which roads are safe for LSVs before allowing their on-road use within municipal boundaries.
• Introduce various measures and incentives to promote the on-road use of LSVs.

Manufacturers

• Improve technical components to ensure greater safety, such as highly reliable power gauges, battery depletion threshold warning indicators and additional safety accessories.

Project description

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This report reflects the view of the authors and not necessarily those of the Transportation Development Centre.