UPDATE 12.50pm: SLEEPLESS residents tormented 24/7 by noisy engine braking have welcomed the sound relief of a new camera aimed at catching out trucks, motorcyclists and cars roaring through their neighbourhood.
A noise camera will be used in around 28 hotspots around Melbourne from early March.
Trucks or motorcycles letting off a sound greater than 80 decibels and a car that reaches more than 74 decibels will be detected by the roadside camera.
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The noise will trigger the roadside camera to take a picture of the offender and record the sound.
Geelong Ring Rd, near Waurn Ponds, Frankston, Yarraville, Buninyoung and Southbank will be the first to be targeted.
Chairman of the local owners’ corporation in Southbank David Jones welcomed the measure that he says will finally bring relief to thousands of residents living near main roads.
“It’s a tremendous problem it keeps them up at night, trucks go past almost 24 hours a day,” Mr Jones said.
“It’s the kind of sound that really penetrates.
“It’s like a thunder clap, five or six times a second.”
Critics claim the penalty system will allow noisy drivers to escape a hefty fine as they will be given a chance to fix the problem and then face losing their registration.
Drivers will only be issued with a notice asking them to appear before an approved EPA noise testing station.
If they fail to attend then they could wind up losing their vehicle registration.
But Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the first phase of the crackdown would ensure that the problem was actually fixed rather than being used as a new form of revenue raising.
“Heavy vehicles are generally fitted with good muffler systems that cause minimal noise when the engine break is activated, but vehicle owners need to ensure their trucks are well maintained and that exhaust systems are not defective,” Mr Pallas said.
Over the next 12 months, the Government plans to introduce automatic infringement notices using the noise cameras.
It is waiting on an outcome of a trial in NSW.
Summary:
There is a lot of people being tormented by the noise pollution created from the vehicles, especially trucks. It disturbes the life of the neighbourhood in certain residential areas near the busy roads.Therefore, noise cameras have been introduced in 28 hotspots in Melbourne from this month to detect sound greater than 80 decibels from trucks or motorcycles and sound greater than 70 decibles from cars. The picture of the vehicles will be captured and the sound will be recorded by the noise cameras. First time offenders will be given a chance to regulate their problem. Automatic infringment plans are also to be carried our over the next 12 months.
My critique:
This new system seems to be a good idea! It is really a good news for those who are tortured by the noise pollution,especially for those who areliving along the main roads. It can solve the externalities created through the use of noise camera. Drivers have to internalise the externalties by carrying out maintenance over a fix period so that their vehicles are functioning under good conditions. No one will be glad to be imposed or break the law. However, I personally think that the decibles it detect should be adjusted at different time slot. For example, the decibles can de adjusted lower at the night time in which most residents sleep. It is inevitable there is certain level of noise pollution during peak hours. Therefore, It can be adjusted accordingly. Besides that, this system can also be introduced in others places as well so that it benefits more.:)
clever use of externalities here. i agree that adjusting the decibels prohibited at different time slots is a good move as residents might want a quieter surrounding to rest at night. as for peak hours, the decibels can be slightly higher. nice suggesstion!
ReplyDeleteWoots! You have applied our learning in externalities well in here and I am pretty sure that Mr.Yee will be very happy to read this! haha
ReplyDeleteYea. From the drivers' standpoint, I do agree the suggestion to set higher decibels for the noise camera to detect during the daytime as it is just simply inevitable for them! Apart from that, I suggest that the government should, however fix the specific routes for those heavy vehicles to use especially at night and try to avoid building residential houses which are nearby to the industrial area.