Expanding trial of noise meters
Noisy motorcycles and cars cause a lot of nuisance in Amsterdam.
In 2023, a trial started with digital signs (“sound-smileys”) along the road.
These should help reduce the nuisance.
The digital signs are part of a broader approach with which Amsterdam wants to combat vehicle noise.
Digital speed displays
The trial of the sound displays will continue this year at 5 new locations until the end of 2024.
The digital signs resemble the familiar speed displays that indicate whether speeding is occurring.
The measurements started in mid-July.
The digital signs are at these 5 locations in the city.
- Haarlemmerweg
- Cornelis Lelylaan
- Poppy Road
- Baden Powellweg
- Bijlmerdreef (as of mid-August)
This is how the screen works
On the streets mentioned, there is a roadside noise meter.
A little further along is a digital sign.
If you drive your motorcycle or other vehicle past the noise meter and make too much noise, you will see the message “TOO LOUD” on the sign.
Too much means more than 80 decibels.
The municipality expects you to ease up on your throttle next time.
No voucher yet
Thus, no fines will be issued during this trial.
Below the digital sign will be a sub-sign that reads “Quietly passing through the neighborhood.”
This emphasizes that this is a trial against noise pollution from traffic.
By the way, in 2024 the amount of the fine for a noise violation will be 280 euros.
An offense formally exists if your motorcycle produces more than 80 dB during a dynamic measurement, i.e. driving past a meter.
Annoying and unhealthy
Research by GGD Amsterdam shows that motorcycles are the largest source of noise pollution in Amsterdam.
As many as 19 percent of adult Amsterdam residents experience serious noise pollution from motorcycles.
Noise from mopeds, motorcycles and other vehicles also cause nuisance.
Causes
Earlier research by TNO showed that extreme vehicle noise is mainly caused by incorrect driver behavior, such as accelerating too quickly or by modifications to the vehicles.
Examples include illegal exhausts or modifications that make vehicles make extra loud noise.
By the way, the measurement results can be viewed online at https://portal.glimi.nl/dashboard/noise-events/day/1267e396-b23a-43f3-9b81-7305d36c2dc4.