TIMETABLE AND OBSTACLES FOR SOURCE CONTROL IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO

The Chicago Noise Ordinance became effective July 1, 1971. The ordinance provides for a step reduction in noise levels from 92 dBA for motorcycles, 88 dBA for vehicles of 8,000 lb (454 kg) or more, and 86 dBA for cars and other motor vehicles downward in 4 increments to 75 dBA for all vehicles by January 1, 1980. Each manufacturer selling vehicles in Chicago must certify in writing that they comply with these levels. This program has thus far been successful and has even resulted in some moderls being taken off the Chicago market in a recent year. A problem encountered has been the lack of appreciation by the judiciary for the seriousness of vehicle noise as an urban menace. Few of the tickets issued result in fines because it is felt that loss of a day of work is sufficient punishment for a violator and a noise violation appears to be not so significant as a moving violation. The most difficult problem encountered has been the enforcement of motorcycle noise controls. Consideration is being given to amending the noise ordinance to prohibit the sale of modification equipment in the City of Chicago, but passage of such a regulation in Chicago and not in the state would negate its benefits. Another source of noise presently under consideration in Chicago is the emergency vehicle. An ordinance specifying maximum noise levels permissible for these vehicles in being considered.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr152/sr152-005.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0360859X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Presented at a Workshop on Motor Vehicle Noise Control, Washington, D.C., 10-11 December 1974.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board (TRB)

  Washington, DC   
• Authors:
  • Poston, H W
• Conference:
  • Workshop on Motor Vehicle Noise Control
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1974-12-10 to 1974-12-11
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: pp 44-45
• Monograph Title: Motor vehicle noise control
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Board Special Report
  • Issue Number: 152
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0360-859X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Emergency vehicles; Heavy vehicles; Law enforcement; Laws; Motor vehicles; Motorcycles; Noise; Noise control; Sound level
• Geographic Terms: Chicago (Illinois)
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00098524
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 27 1975 12:00AM