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Noise Limit on Vehicles Next Year?

18th October 1935
Page 62
Page 62, 18th October 1935 — Noise Limit on Vehicles Next Year?
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Special Consideration for Commercial Motors Recommended by Departmental Committee

IF-the recommendations contained in the first interim report of the Departmental Committee on Noise in the Operation of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles be accepted by the Minister of Transport—as is likely—it will be illegal after August 1, 1936, for a new vehicle to be sold for home use which does not comply with the following iequirements :— When driven with full throttle at 30 m.p.h. (or at the maximum legal Of possible speed, if less than 30 m.p.h.), using the gear preferred by the driver, the loudness measured at a point 18 ft. to one side of the vehicle shall not ekceed 90 phons. When stationary with the engine running at the speed which would give 'maximum power output, the loudness 18 ft. behind the exhaust pipe shall not exceed 95 phons.

These proposals relate to motorcycles, motorcars, heavy motorcars and motor tractors, as defined in Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and the tests shall be carried out in an open space. A latitude of five phone above the noise limit shall be allowed, for two B48 years, to motorcycles, heavy motorcars and motor tractors, in the "normalrunning test.'' The committee considers that the tests could, in most cases, best be carried out by makers.

It is also recommended that the practice of racing the engine of stationary vehicles should be prohibited.

The existing regulations relating to the noise of motor vehicles are framed in general terms. The new proposals refer to 'overall" noise, that is, of engine, gears, body, etc., combined.

The committee was set up in August, 1934, by the Minister, and Dr. G. W. C. Kaye, of the National Physical Laboratory, is acting-chairman, in place Of Sir Harry Fowler, who has been ill for a long time. It devised a series of tests which would bring out the average noise levels of a comprehensive range of • motorcycles, motorcars, lorries and public service vehicles, under normal and abnormal conditions of use. Sixteen commercial vehicles were tested.

Amongst the conclusions drawn by the Committee is that certain commercial motors are somewhat noisy, but improvements could be effected by attention to engines and gears. Trials were made when the vehicle was stationary with the engine running at maximum speed, at various steady and accelerated speeds on the level, and with full throttle on hills.

For purposes of comparison, the noise in the interior of an express train (windows open) equals 80-85 phone, interior of a tube train (windows open) 90-95 phons, and in the vicinity of a loud motor horn 100-105 phons.

It is understood that the committee is now to investigate the noise of motor horns. The report, which has been published by-H.M. Stationery Office, at is to -be circulated amongst representatives of the motor trade, which is represented on the committee.


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