Port Moody considering installing noise cameras to combat loud vehicles

If you’ve ever been woken up or bothered by a loud car driving by, one Lower Mainland city thinks it has the solution.

At Tuesday’s council meeting in Port Moody, the topic of noise cameras is on the agenda. The cameras themselves are similar to photo radar.

If or when the program goes ahead, the cameras will be installed on loud, busy roads like Ioco Road, Murray Street, Barnet Highway, and St. Johns Street.

Coun. Samantha Agtarap is one of two behind the motion. She tells 1130 NewsRadio that she lives near a busy street and says this idea was initially put forth as a resolution at last fall’s Union of B.C. Municipalities.

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“The end goal is to really pilot the noise camera technology. It hasn’t been used in B.C., as far as I know. We’re hoping with the changes in technology and the advancements that have been made that we can implement a pilot and understand better how this technology can help us in managing noise,” she said.

Agtarap believes the cameras are more efficient than police officers setting up on busy roads to catch drivers with loud vehicles or noisy motorcycles.

She hopes the program will allow the city to collect data so they can take it to the provincial government for final approval.

“Traffic cameras are under the jurisdiction of the province, so we’re just testing the technology. We wouldn’t be issuing tickets or anything at this point,” she clarified.

After getting support for the idea at the UBCM, two companies have come forward offering to install the cameras for free.

Agtarap adds cutting down on noise pollution is a critical factor in trying to grow the community.

“Where are noisy parts in our community and what can we do to mitigate that? As we densify around transit hubs and hopefully build more affordable housing, there’s also that piece to consider as well,” she explained.

The councillor says the cameras wouldn’t flag noise from the transit systems like the Evergreen Line or other rail systems but would focus on street noise.

She says it’s a public health issue.

“There is well-documented research on the health impacts of excessive noise, including disrupted sleep which can lead to increased stress and increased cardiovascular issues as well. It affects shift workers or people who have to be up at different times [or] babies who are sleeping. It needs to be addressed.”

Under the Motor Vehicle Act, the legal limit for light-duty vehicles is 83 decibels. For motorcycles, it’s 91 dB, while for gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles, it’s 88 dB. For diesel-driven heavy-duty vehicles, it’s 93 dB. Modifying mufflers to increase noise levels is illegal in B.C.

These types of cameras were previously tested in cities like Edmonton and Calgary and they’re already in place in the UK, Paris, and New York City. Saanich also tried implementing these cameras, but it never got the go-ahead from local officials.

Tuesday’s council meeting gets underway at 7 p.m., where the hope is it will be green-lit for staff to look into it and report back to council at a later date.