One of the disadvantages of living near a main highway is the constant traffic noise. The roar of heavy trucks makes sleep difficult and recent automotive technology has increased this problem with the introduction of " engine compression braking ". This is both a safety factor and a method of reducing brake pad wear, but it comes at the expense of an ear shattering increase in truck noise !
One of the stretches of road that engine compression braking use delivers a huge noise problem is Mount Ousley road in Wollongong. The city of Wollongong is bordered by the sea on one side and by a fifteen hundred foot escarpment on the other. All traffic in and out of the city must use a long, steep grind up and down Mount Ousley road - and it is bordered by the suburbs of Keiraville, Mount Pleasant and Balgownie.
Noise has been a constant problem to the residents of those suburbs. Noise reduction was the aim when tall concrete noise barriers were installed several decades ago, and back in 2007 another attempt to reduce noise saw the installation of " Noise Cameras " - devices that not only recorded the noise volume of passing traffic but took pictorial evidence of the actual vehicle emitting that noise.
It seems that in 2009 four hundred letters were sent to the owners of trucks that exceeded noise pollution levels, alerting them that their vehicles were faulty and suggesting methods of bringing them within regulations. No fines were issued - and since then no action has taken place as a result of the evidence these cameras produce.
We are now told that there is no legislation in place in this state to support any sort of prosecution because of this noise problem. It seems that these cameras are a " toothless tiger " - and neither the previous government nor the present regime had any plans to correct this situation.
The noise factor is steadily increasing. Port Kembla is being upgraded to replace facilities in Sydney harbour and this is leading to a steady stream of heavy vehicles on Mout Ousley road. In particular, the law requires heavy vehicles descending this steep section several miles in length to engage low gear - and all modern trucks are now fitted with engine compression braking.
There are signs asking drivers to limit engine compression braking noise in consideration of residents, but that conflicts with reality. This technology delivers truck safety and it saves the truck owners servicing money. We are seeing two incompatible requirements coming together - head on !
This certainly provides a headache for the Transport minister. It would be disastrous to pass a law outlawing engine compression braking on Mount Ousley road to mitigate noise, but if we have the means to detect noise above what is reasonable by faulty vehicles or bad driving techniques, we should have a law in place to discipline offenders.
On any working day we see an endless stream of heavy vehicles grinding their way down Mount Ousley road in low gear. As Port Kembla expands, this truck stream will increase - and so will the noise.
The noise cameras are in place - and working. Now we need legislation to give them " teeth " !
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