Edmonton keeps tabs on loud exhausts
Similar to photo radar, cameras with microphones set to target noisy vehicles
Four cameras with microphones have been placed throughout the city of Edmonton in an effort to catch drivers and riders with loud exhaust that exceed 85 decibels, the first implementation of this technology in North America.
Along with the four cameras, another four display boards with microphones are being installed at different locations throughout the city.
“Sometimes its just beyond belief,” said Coun. Scott McKeen to the CBC. “People have altered their cars, trucks or motorcycles to make them really loud and then they roar around.”
According to the CBC, city councillors agreed to continue testing the noise-monitoring equipment to determine whether it can be used to enforce extreme noise, similar to how photo radar tickets drivers for speeding. But as this is a test project, there will be no tickets handed out.
Several Edmonton residents are happy with this pilot project, saying it’s a good place to start. Cailyn Shaw, a sales associate on Whyte Avenue, explained to CBC that the shop’s alarm goes off regularly as a result of loud noise made from vehicles outside the store. Once the alarm goes off an automated voice in the store alerts customers that the police are on their way.
“Not only does that cause intense stress to us but anyone that’s in the store that doesn’t understand what’s happening, I’m sure it causes a lot of panic,” said Shaw.