Here are the sound logs for anyone who is curious....
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B90EOLfq2VvgbVpVUkZZbk02MXM?usp=sharing
Far too many comments / complaints about sound yesterday at YYC.
The SASC number one challenge maintaining venues is sound complaints. Over the years Westerner NE lot, Grey Eagle, and Fort Macleod have been lost, or close to lost, all a result of sound complaints. So in 2016, as part of our campaign to secure Fort Macleod airport, the SASC implemented the current 93 dB sound limit.
Why 93 dB when SCCA events are 100 dB?
#1 We are not in the USA running on old military sites, where allowances for high sound limits are tolerated. Many regional and local SCCA events are faced with the same pressure on sound limits as we are, and have implemented lower sound limits to maintain venues.
#2 City of Calgary... Bylaws Related to Noise
"In Calgary, all residents have the right to not be disturbed by noise. Sound is restricted to certain levels during the daytime and at night.
Traffic or vehicle noise A person shall not create or cause any loud and unnecessary noise from a vehicle or any part of a vehicle.
A motor vehicle must have an exhaust muffler that expels the exhaust gases without excessive noise.
A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle if the exhaust outlet has been widened.
A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle if a device is attached to the exhaust system or the muffler that increases the noise.
Any vehicle in motion emitting noise measured at 96 decibels or more by a sound pressure level meter is “objectionable noise” and is in contravention of the Traffic Bylaw.
At Council on July 5, 2011 the Municipal Traffic Bylaw 26M96 was amended by Bylaw 41M2011 and the following point was added to the definition of “objectionable noise”:
Noise measured at 96 decibels (dBA) or more as measured by a sound pressure level meter at any point of reception. Where “Point of reception” means any location where sound levels are measured with a sound pressure level meter."
#3 Municipal District of Rocky View No. 44
"Section 14. No person who owns, operates or controls a vehicle shall allow the engine of the vehicle to be raced or otherwise operated so as to cause excessive and unnecessary Noise."
#4
How do we measure sound waves?Sound energy travels in waves and is measured in frequency and amplitude.
The energy in a sound wave can be measured using Decibels.
Amplitude measures how forceful the wave is. It is measured in decibels or dBA of sound pressure. Normal speaking voices are around 65 dBA. A rock concert can be about 120 dBA.
Sounds that are 85 dBA or above can permanently damage your ears. The more sound pressure a sound has, the less time it takes to cause damage. For example, a sound at 85 dBA may take as long at 8 hours to cause permanent damage, while a sound at 100 dBA can start damaging hair cells after only 30 minutes of listening.
#5 We enjoy the use of venues at the pleasure of the owners. But they have no real stomach to deal with noise complaints from neighbours. Venue owners typical response is to tell us to leave. End of Story.
Some of you may feel noise goes hand in hand with performance. Nothing could be further from the truth. A quick look at the sound logs from yesterday show...
Top 10 PAX finishers; 8 of 10 entrants consistently were less than 89 dB.
Top 10 RAW finishers; 7 of 10 entrants consistently were less than 89 dB.
The SASC places the Sound Meter 50' from the course, set to "slow" response. The microphone will be 3 to 4 feet above ground, perpendicular to vehicle traffic, at a point where the vehicle can reasonably be expected to be under load at full throttle.
Sound Variance... "my vehicle has been to many events and never been over". Each course has it's own points of "full throttle under load". It's not exacting. But vehicle sound, under a given condition, throttle position and load is. And the sound meter measures this accurately.
Examples: (this is not to point fingers, but to show variance between drivers in the same vehicle)
#92 84 - 85 dB
#192 87 - 88 dB
Entrant #192 was the more aggressive, experienced driver ~6% quicker overall.
#52 90 - 92 dB
#529 92 - 94 dB
Entrant #529 was the more aggressive, experienced driver ~4% quicker overall.
#51 84 -89 dB
#151 82 - 85 dB
Entrant #51 was the more aggressive, experienced driver ~5% quicker overall.
I think you get the my point. A vehicle's sound can vary noticeably based on more aggressive driving. Whether that be your own driving, course dependent, or with someone else co-driving.
Also, entrants that bring vehicles knowing they can not or will not meet the sound limit must not be encouraged or tolerated. All that happens is the SASC will jeopardize the continued use of the venue.
The SASC must be diligent in the enforcement of Sound. Failure to do so does not bode well for Motorsports in general.
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