EifT moots low-noise certification scheme
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christindati781agooglemait.com A NATIONWIDE certification scheme to prove hauliers are quiet enough to make night-time deliveries is being investigated by the government. The Department for Transport ( DfT) commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to conduct a report that looked into the need for a low-noise certification initiative for 'quiet HG Vs' and found general support.
However, councils did express concerns over the benefits.
The report found that for a scheme to be successful, local authorities would first have to make freight operators comply with noise tests at all stages of the delivery process.
Running parallel to this, the Freight Transport Association (FIA) is about to pilot a scheme for retailers and logistics firms with the Dui and the Noise Abatement Society (NAS), which it hopes will show that deliveries can be made without waking up the public (CM 4 February).
VIA policy manager Natalie Chapman says a certification scheme could help standardise noise-abatement equipment for hauliers. She adds: "It's good to know that if you are purchasing a particular piece of equipment, then it's creating a quiet vehicle. Operators will know what they need and what to buy.
NAS managing director Lisa Lavia also welcomes a certification scheme. She says: "Anything that helps to give some sort of certainty to vehicle manufacturers. equipment manufacturers, operators and local councils and the public is an important thing.
"Our caveat to that is a measurement system on its own isn't going to be solely responsible for allowing night-time deliveries. One has to look at each site on a case-by-case basis," Lavia adds.
The Df l did not respond.