Document 3 Noise
WESTERN SPRINGS SPEEDWAY
NOISE
Noise, the measurement and control of it,
is by far the most complex issue concerning objection to speedway.
Douglas Growcott, Roy Nates, Christopher
Day and others have written reports on noise.
They try to come up with solutions, none of
which go beyond speculation and hypothetical theory.
They have come up with theory and examples
from elsewhere yet all ignoring the history of noise at Western Springs
itself. Any successful business person
will agree that historic information is the most crucial tool for planning the
future. Financial results and
performance is either built on or corrected depending upon previous results.
Speedway at Western Springs, come this November, will have 78 years of
history, a wealth of information all of which has been ignored by the experts.
Growcott describes an exhaust muffler
system as a cure for noise reduction which if he had of done proper research,
he would know that system has been utilized on race cars at Western Springs for
many years. Development of exhaust
systems have gone way beyond that recommended by Growcott. Augers to swirl and disrupt sound waves,
baffles, a configuration of plates at the end of mufflers called super traps
have also been developed and the research continues in many countries to
overcome the difficult task of engine noise reduction. There is a common interest amongst everyone
involved with motor racing for methods of quietening combustion engines, the
knowledge is shared and discussed. The insinuation
that there is a simple solution which is being ignored is mischievous and
misleading.
Surely both Nates and Growcott when they
attended speedway at Western Springs would have taken the time to observe the
complex muffler systems on all of the race cars. It makes me wonder why they recommend a
muffler system be fitted. Some of their
comments are down and out irresponsible and makes for wonderment where their
agenda is focused.
Other suggestions to reduce noise are again
speculative and mostly impractical.
Noise levels need to be set at Western
Springs Speedway using historic information and not from people who have had
absolutely no experience or prior knowledge of the research and development or
even taken the time to investigate the work already done. Had these people taken the time to discuss
the problems with the competitors and race car owners, and not only spend time
with the objecting residents, they would not be recommending systems which have
been in use for more than 10 years or recommending rev limiters when one of the
noisiest cars ever to compete at Western Springs had a small low revving,
gulping engine that exhausted its itself with thunderous retort. Other noisy engines were rotary type and conventional
un-muffled engines. Speedway cars at
Western Springs have not been allowed to race without a silencing system since
the late 70s.
The measurement of noise is complex and
varying depending upon wind strength and direction, atmospheric condition and
other variables making noise reading change even though the noise and source
remain the same.
Examples of tests carried out by the
Western Springs Speedway Club shows SH1 in a residents back yard next to the
motorway, at the same point where Transit New Zealand took their readings,
shows on three occasion, each with one week readings that three different
results were recorded although the pattern on each reading remained the
same. The same situation occurred when
readings were taken on SH16. The
readings were taken on SH16 in a residents back yard across from speedway. The noise levels during speedway did not
exceed the maximum noise generated from the motorway which starts at 6am when
trucks and other traffic increase from the overnight lul. Although the SH1 has
heavy truck use all night.
The noisiest events recorded by the club
comes from Opera in the park, particularly when the cannons are fired, the Auckland City festival
follows that and next comes Christmas in the park which well exceeded 110 dBA
in the hospital grounds. All of these events were held at the Auckland Domain.
The Western Springs Speedway Club are not
against public enjoyment of any event even though the noisiest events in Auckland are next
to the hospital. We say that people need
events to go to. It makes our city
vibrant and gives the population choice and entertainment where they can get
out with their families and have healthy law abiding fun. It is fabulous that effort is put into public
enjoyment.
Page 2 Noise
Speedway has been a popular choice of public enjoyment for 78 years and as
long as it has popular acceptance and following then it must remain. It is what the residents surrounding the
stadium and Auckland citizens overwhelmingly want so why look for reasons to stop that.
To this point we have not addressed the
actual noise solution and deliberately not nominated other noise levels because
it has all been done before. We were merely explaining the speculation of
others.
We have a record of numerous results over a
long period of testing but it all comes down to what reasonably can be achieved
and the historic harmonious use of the stadium.
Rules should not be put in place as
Growcott and Nates suggest. It would be
too complex and provide long term problems for the council to administer and
control.
A simple noise requirement should be
implemented and no other controls regarding noise included. It will then be over to the Promoters to run
speedway within those rules and simplify the administration of it for council.
A noise level needs to be set at an achievable
level. Anything other than that will
provide for ongoing problems for the council and the conflict will continue
until an achievable solution is cemented in place.
The Western Springs Stadium is an events
centre with historic and public awareness of its use. Any argument to the contrary is simply
unjustifiable.
Allowance should be made that Western
Springs is a historic events centre.
The Western Springs Speedway Club
recommends the following means of controlling noise at Western Springs Speedway.
That the Leq method of testing as
recommended in the Salmon Report be adopted.
That two monitoring stations be
implemented. The existing one as it is
and a second device directly opposite at the same distance from the track which
would be about the position of the ticketing office.
This will offer a true Leq average when
both readings are taken. It will allow
for wind direction and other variances where only one monitor is not capable of
reporting and be simple to operate.
We have spoken extensively with people involved
with attempts to bring the noise factor down and they say at present that an
Leq of 85 is achievable and maintainable if the two monitor system is
implemented.
It will prevent readings from being
unreasonably biased up or down and therefore eliminate problems through
atmospheric influence.
The distance from the boundary of the
monitor is 10 meters and there will be a lessening affect on residents as that
distance increases.
This 85dBA is on the border of
achievability and will encourage further development of silencing systems for
race cars.
Anything set below the Leq 85 dBA will leave the door open for further dispute
as limits are un-avoidably breached.
Through the years 1929 to 1994 families
lived alongside speedway at the Springs. They raised their children. None of them ended up in the loony bin or
were affected in their health. Now that
speedway is quieter, finishes earlier and has tighter controls, why would
families be more affected now? | 
