Snare to Catch Noisy Vehicles

By Gordon Tweddell
The City of Calgary is poised to adopt a new Canadian invention called "Noise Snare".  "Noise Snare" measures the noise level of passing vehicles and records the vehicles license plate.  The officer can then issue the registered owner either a warning or a violation ticket through the mail.  

Accuracy of the technology was tested by an independent acoustical engineering consultant as well as by City of Calgary staff.  It was concluded that the system produced consistent and accurate measures. 

The system was provided to the City of Calgary at no cost in recognition of it being the first test deployment of the system.  It is estimated that the commercial cost of the system will be in the order of $112,500 according to Dr. Mark Nesdoly, the inventor of the system.

Through its public engagement process, the City of Calgary determined that excessive vehicle noise was of concern to City residents and that it impacted their quality of life by disrupting sleep, inhibiting communication, and causing annoyance.  The City of Calgary's findings are similar to those identified by the 2009 James Bay Community Survey.  

Of the 28 indices measured by the James Bay Community Survey, Traffic Noise was the second highest ranked priority requiring attention.  It was exceeded by only the closely related issue of the quantity/volume of traffic.  In particular, James Bay residents cited the noise from tourist buses and motorcycles.

As might be expected, there have been detractors.  In particular, some motorcyclists claim that noisy motorcycles serve to alert other drivers to their presence.  The dubious "loud pipes save lives" argument has failed to sway the City of Calgary and indeed is not even endorsed by the American Motorcycling Association - North America's major motorcycling advocacy group.    

To date the City of Victoria has taken no action on the traffic noise concerns.  For noise-weary James Bay residents there are hopeful signs.  

The GVHA is considering more "community friendly" forms of moving cruise ship passengers between Ogden Point and the Inner Harbour.  

The City of Victoria is undertaking a review of the Vehicles for Hire bylaw.  Early indications are that the review is essentially a "house-keeping" activity.  However, City staff have been provided with information specific to the concerns of James Bay and have been encouraged to take meaningful action. 

B.C. Transit is aware of community concerns and will continue to test new buses including super quiet hybrid and electric buses.

The key question is whether the City of Victoria will follow the lead of Calgary and take action to actively reduce excessive vehicle noise by identifying and penalizing the offending vehicle owners.