Regulation 13 Requirements regarding audio information

(1)

This regulation applies to relevant information which is provided in audio form.

(2)

Where a vehicle does not have adaptive volume control—

(a)

the operator to whom these Regulations apply in relation to the vehicle must ensure that the pre-measured ambient volume on that vehicle is measured; and

(b)

relevant information must, when measured at any passenger seat on, or wheelchair space in, the vehicle, be—

(i)

at least 3 decibels louder than the pre-measured ambient volume;

(ii)

notwithstanding paragraph (2)(b)(i), no louder than 84 decibels.

(3)

Where a vehicle has adaptive volume control—

(a)

the operator to whom these Regulations apply in relation to the vehicle must ensure that the live-measured ambient volume on that vehicle is measured; and

(b)

relevant information must, when measured at any passenger seat on, or wheelchair space in, the vehicle, be—

(i)

at least 3 decibels louder than the live-measured ambient volume;

(ii)

notwithstanding paragraph (3)(b)(i), no louder than 84 decibels.

(4)

Relevant information must be provided within the frequency range of 300Hz – 3000Hz.

(5)

Relevant information must be capable of being heard by a hearing impaired person if that person is sitting in a priority seat or a wheelchair space and using their hearing aid.

(6)

In this regulation—

(a)

“adaptive volume control” means a facility to automatically vary the volume of audio information based on live ambient volume levels;

(b)

“audio induction loop” means an audio frequency induction loop hearing system which can be accessed using a working telecoil hearing aid;

(c)

“hearing impaired person” means a person who is unable to hear relevant information in audio form unless they are using a working hearing aid in conjunction with an audio induction loop;

(d)

“live-measured ambient volume” means the average volume of ambient sound determined in accordance with paragraph (7) below.

(e)

“pre-measured ambient volume” means the average volume of ambient sound determined in accordance with paragraph (8) below.

(7)

For the purposes of the definition of live-measured ambient volume, the average volume of ambient sound in a vehicle—

(a)

must be measured each time relevant information is being provided in audio form; and

(b)

is the average of measurements taken at that time at the front and rear of the passenger saloon of the vehicle or, where the vehicle has more than one passenger deck, taken at the front and rear of the passenger saloon on each passenger deck of the vehicle.

(8)

For the purposes of the definition of pre-measured ambient volume, the average volume of ambient sound in a vehicle—

(a)

must be measured—

(i)

prior to the vehicle being first used to provide relevant local services after the date when these Regulations apply in relation to that vehicle; and

(ii)

when the vehicle is empty of passengers and travelling on a route operated by the operator to which these Regulations apply in respect of the vehicle; and

(b)

is the average of measurements taken, in circumstances where the requirements of sub-paragraph (a) are met—

(i)

at the front and rear of the passenger saloon of the vehicle or, where the vehicle has more than one passenger deck, taken at the front and rear of the passenger saloon on each passenger deck of the vehicle; and

(ii)

when the vehicle is travelling at 5 mph and when it is travelling at 20 mph.