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Why Do Reversing Trucks Not Beep Any More?

Tom Scott3 HN recommenders · 2016–2026
1.6M views · explainer · evergreen · Uploaded 2014-01-24

Tom Scott stands by a construction site and explains why reversing vehicles now use a white-noise hiss instead of beeping. The sound is easier to locate directionally and less annoying to neighbours.

Cited whenever backup beepers and noise come up, as a clear explanation of the white-noise alternative.

Everyday physics & science demosUX & UI designCivil engineering & construction

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7 comments from Hacker News

@Scottopherson2016 · in “Mercedes-Benz shows off the first fully electric heavy urban transport truck”

Not necessarily. It's being changed in some places because studies show that there are safer (and less annoying) noises that can be utilized: Tom Scott - Why Do Reversing Trucks Not Beep Any More? [VIDEO] As someone with construction taking place next door to me I really wish they would start getting rid of the beeping in more places. I'm pessimistic that it will happen in my area anytime soon though.

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@chrisbolt2021 · in “France has passed a law protecting the sounds and smells of the countryside”

> Back up beepers are considerably louder than they need to be. Tom Scott has a fascinating video that describes how this is changing: [VIDEO]

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@rhdunn2021 · in “We Can Finally Do Away with the Accursed Beep-Beep of Heavy Machines”

What happened to the white noise beeper talked about in Tom Scott's video from 7 years ago -- [VIDEO] ?

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@DoughnutHole2022 · in “Sounding the alarm: How noise hurts the heart (2021)”

Improved reversal sounds have been invented - the classic beep isn't just bad from a noise pollution perspective, it's also an artificial sound that's difficult for people to process and determine its point of origin. There's been a gradual rollout of white-noise reversal beepers, which while they might seem strange are easier for people to locate aurally - as a result they can be played at a lower volume, and even if it was played just as loud is a much less unpleasant tone. Of course it'll probably be many years before old-school beepers are phased out. Tom Scott video for reference: [VIDEO]

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@omegabravo2022 · in “I saw a cool truck today”

The beep isn't for the driver. I don't want it to beep after I step out behind it, I want it to beep before. Despite that, there is an alternative which sounds more like a hiss. The main benefit is that you can identify the direction from your hearing. I have to look in all directions to find where the beep is coming from. [VIDEO]

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@ben_w2023 · in “People are happier in a walkable neighborhood: the US community that banned cars”

I wish the alternate-woop-and-ksssh had replaced the simple siren in more than just construction sites: [LINK] [VIDEO]

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@VageGast2026 · in “STFU”

It does remind me of a video from Tom Scott about the use of white noise for reversing trucks. It has multiple benefits over the old beeping sound, including being easily able to hear the direction the sound is coming from. [VIDEO]

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