Noise Cameras

[Beagler]

Are these going to affect us owners.?

[paul richards]

Someone's been listening to Radio 2. 
On trial down South I believe with 150 already fined. If it's 80 decibels there will be a lot of cars affected not just 7s. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[K7 VCT]

The noisy bikes they are on about will have the number lpates at such a angle that they are not readable....

[DerekH]

I found this while looking into this, a piece from last year.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1506715/classic-car-owners-new-noise-cameras-fine-penalty

Cameras seem to be targeting the super car population in London

Derek

[Jonathan Kay]

https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/chitchat/acoustic-cameras

Jonathan

[Beagler]

Yes gentlemen but will it affect us is the question.

[edo]

Doubtful unless you have a ridiculous exhaust. Id say if you can do a track day you'll be fine. 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

I'm sure any challenge to noise regulations relating to roadside measurement will not easily stand up in court.

The UK regulations seem to be driven by documents from here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roadside-vehicle-noise-measurement-study-enforcement-and-technology

The measurements are very dependent on distance to the vehicle, wind speed and direction, and background noise from other vehicles.

Accurate measurement of vehicle noise is generally corelated to regulation EU540/2014, which the UK doesn't have an alternative to at the moment: https://www.eltis.org/sites/default/files/celex-32014r0540-en-txt.pdf

Here in Alberta they had road side noise regulations about 5 years ago, but had to remove them after the early court challenges, as the devices could not technically measure the noise level accurately enough due to the lack of control of the external parameters.

The first thing to understand is what the reference distance for the 80dB value is and how they measure that and adjust for the external parameters that affect the noise level wind speed, humidity, temperature, background noise, etc).

[Beagler]

My exhaust is the original as assembled on the car by Caterham therefore a standard production exhaust. The obvious implication is that Caterham as a car manufacturer, should be fitting exhausts that comply with noise laws current or otherwise.

[ChrisC]

For years there has been a drive by noise figure printing in the V5C, which by EU law has been coming down and will continue to do so.  That in combination with the gas particulate filters has had the dramatic effect on noise.  But a UK Caterham which has been through IVA, a UK approval process that doesn't have a drive by noise figure, only a static reading at time of approval. This static limit is way higher than what's acceptable with type approved vehicles. Flaps that open in sports mode have been outlawed as cheat devices and test will now be carried out exhaust flaps open. 

So basically a Caterham has no known reading for the drive by noise camera to measure against, but this doesn't mean we won't have to fight that case.  

Police in Essex have a static noise meter, which I know they test at 90db, way below the IVA static noise level.  So I know where to prove my car is tested at 98db, should I ever need it.

All that said, I can't help feel if you can get on any noise sensitive track for a track day your be fine.

 

 

[John Vine]

Re #9:

The obvious implication is that Caterham as a car manufacturer, should be fitting exhausts that comply with noise laws current or otherwise.

I imagine that all CC-supplied exhausts meet current DVSA IVA requirements.  Whether that's the same as "current noise law", I couldn't say.  I'm not sure what "otherwise" means here.  Something in the future, perhaps?  

Re #10:

 But a UK Caterham which has been through IVA, a UK approval process that doesn't have a drive by noise figure, only a static reading at time of approval.

Interesting. That looks like something extra compared to the old SVA process.  My Minister's Approval Certificate (2008 SVA) makes no mention of noise at all.  The tester certainly assessed exhaust noise but I've no record of his assessment other than an overall "pass".

JV