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Vehicle noise rules likely delayed

New rules to muffle the noise of souped-up trucks and motorcycles in Red Deer will likely be put on the back burner once again, until more research is done.

New rules to muffle the noise of souped-up trucks and motorcycles in Red Deer will likely be put on the back burner once again, until more research is done.

Council earlier asked administration to research Edmonton’s vehicle noise bylaw and bring back a report and potential amendments to Red Deer’s Community Standards bylaw.

Since the original request was made, the City of Calgary has set up new technology, which has a broader scope of detection than what Edmonton uses.

Edmonton Police bought equipment that was capable of measuring the decibel level of motorbikes only.

“The only way they could test other vehicles required the use of a sound room,” says a City of Red Deer staff report.

Calgary uses a noise snare, which makes it possible to measure the noise level of any vehicle as it passes a stationary unit. It produces a video image and also has sound and decibel readings. A noise snare costs about $112,000.

Administration will suggest to council on Monday that a report come back in six month.

Red Deer staff would like the time to review Calgary’s new technology and how that city is assessing and evaluating its equipment. Red Deer staff would also like to review the costs of buying new equipment and setting it up.

In June 2010, Coun. Cindy Jefferies and former councillors Gail Parks and Larry Pimm asked for the city to review its policy and practices regarding vehicle noise in the hopes of having rules in place.

They wanted administration to look into the issue because the city receives complaints regarding noisy vehicles, like those with modified exhaust systems.

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com