Scania boss calls for help on noise
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• Scania's general manager Leif Ostling has warned the Belgian importers association: "Imposing varying regulations will only delay the overall benefit on the environment."
While acknowledging the demand for road vehicles to become environmentally acceptable, he says: "There is a price tag on every measure requiring research and development which affects vehicle costs and every transport job. A uniform environmental protection package needs to be created to cover all aspects of environmental protection. Properly co-ordinated regulatory bodies' ambitions and manufacturers' R&D experience will produce impressive results."
Six trucks to-day make less noise than one did 10 years ago, he says. Noise emissions have been cut by 8dB(A), which equates to 84%, while engine power has risen by around 25%. As a result "noise per hp is down by 90%," he claims.
But he stresses the need for sensible legislation: "These achievements are overshadowed by different countries inventing noise limits of their own. A dozen individual standards now have to be met.
"The EC directive (70/157/EEC) for an 80dB(A) limit is emerging as the universal standard sadly it will not give us a better noise environment since the measurements are based on full throttle at 50km/h which is not representative of heavy haulage.
"At open road speeds the main source of noise stems from the tyres and road surface," he concludes. "Further measures to cut engine and transmission noise are meaningless until quieter tyres and road surfaces can be provided."