Re: Regulation & Road Noise

[Christopher England <cengland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sorrento95@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 97-09-25 11:29:24 EDT, John writes:
> 
> << We have found it almost impossible to measure "noise"
> - ie legally defined  noise. >>
> 
>    I find it useful to distinguish between "necessary" and
>    "unnecessary" noise.   A case can be made that the
>    train whistle -- although a disturbance -- is necessary,
>    for two reasons:
> 
>          1. trains provide a useful service to society
> 
>          2. the whistle is a safety feature
> 
>    Nonetheless, I think that train whistles are louder than
>    they need to be in order to accomplish the necessary
>    warning.   You can hear them for a good mile away from
>    the tracks.
> 
>    Barking dogs, loud stereos, and auto stereos (boom
>    cars) are recreational noise, and unnecessary.  The noise
>    victim's right to quiet on his property or on public property
>    is superior to the recreational noise-maker's interest.
> 
>    For this reason, I believe we should argue before the
>    law-makers that decibel meters and other complicated
>    measuring devices are not necessary for enforcement
>    against recreational and promotional noise.  An example
>    of promotional noise would be the practice by merchants
>    of putting speakers on the overhangs above sidewalks
>    and blasting away into the public air.
> 
>    Recreational noise should not be allowed to penetrate
>    the public air  or another person's property.   I would allow
>    auto radios and auto stereos a maximum distance of 30
>    feet.  Beyond 30 feet the sound should disappear.
> 
>          -- Michael Wright
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The criterion "beyond 30 ft the sound should disappear" has little
meaning without a number behind it.  Should it be less than 10% of the
ambient? in sound pressure? in energy?  Numbers are needed to give flesh
to criteria for a quieter and more pleasant environment.
============================================================================
QUIET-LIST:   Internet Mail List and Forum for discussion of Noise Pollution,
Soundscape Awareness, and the Right to Quiet.     Email: "quiet-list@igc.org"
To subscribe, email "majordomo@igc.org" with message "subscribe quiet-list".
For info, send message "info quiet-list" to same.
=============================================================================