New Measures to Tackle Urban Noise Pollution
New York City is deploying an innovative approach to combat street noise: traffic cameras fitted with sound meters. This initiative comes in the wake of the city’s post-pandemic resurgence, which has brought back an array of disruptive sounds—jackhammers, honking vehicles, rumbling subways, sirens, and shouting.
To address the increasing noise levels, the city has launched a year-long pilot program using these cameras to identify vehicles, particularly modified cars and motorbikes, that exceed legal noise limits. So far, over 71 citations have been issued to drivers violating these regulations, prompting the Department of Environmental Protection to consider expanding the use of sound monitoring technology.
City Council member Erik Bottcher highlighted the growing issue of vehicles with altered mufflers, calling the arrival of noise-monitoring radars a significant step towards alleviating “obnoxious” noise in the city.
New York already enforces stringent noise ordinances, which regulate acceptable noise levels from various sources, including construction equipment and automobiles. The recent implementation of the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution (SLEEP) Act has increased penalties for illegal muffler modifications.
Traditionally, police have had limited resources to tackle noise violations, allowing offenders to continue their disruptive behaviour. The new cameras operate similarly to speed enforcement cameras, capturing license plates of noisy vehicles. Fines can reach $800 for a first offence and escalate to $2,625 for repeated violations.
City officials have withheld the locations of these cameras. However, similar equipment has been installed in Paris, which also struggles with urban noise.
Research indicates that excessive noise adversely affects not only hearing but also mental health and can increase the risk of serious health issues such as heart disease and hypertension. Mayor Eric Adams lamented the persistent noise during a recent press conference, attributing it to urban stressors that disrupt sleep and contribute to chronic health problems.
This is not the first time NYC has attempted to address noise pollution. Nearly a decade ago, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced an extensive set of regulations regarding various noise sources, from ice cream trucks to barking dogs.
Historically, the city has been described as a “bonfire of sound,” with concerns about noise levels dating back over a century. During the pandemic lockdown in spring 2020, a temporary silence settled over the city, allowing residents to appreciate sounds like birdsong—though often interrupted by ambulance sirens and illegal fireworks.
Juan Pablo Bello, leading the Sounds of New York City (SONYC) project at NYU, noted that while the lockdown revealed the city’s acoustic dynamics, it also heightened residents’ sensitivity to noise, leading to a spike in complaints about loud vehicles and neighbours.
Despite the push for quieter streets, not everyone supports these measures. Car enthusiast Phillip Franklin from the Bronx has initiated a petition against the state’s noise regulations, arguing that noise is an inherent part of city life and that addressing pothole repairs should take precedence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that sounds above 120 decibels can cause immediate hearing damage, while prolonged exposure to noise above 70 decibels can lead to long-term harm. For context, a roaring motorcycle measures about 95 decibels.
As awareness of noise pollution grows, firms specialising in architectural acoustics are increasingly in demand, focusing on integrating soundproofing technologies in new and existing buildings. At AKRF’s Manhattan office, the “PinDrop” room exemplifies a space designed for quiet, demonstrating how sound can be managed in urban environments.
“Whether it’s for sleeping or listening, we aim to create spaces that accommodate those needs,” said Nathaniel Fletcher, an acoustical consultant at AKRF.
