Replace beeping backup alarms with broadband alarms in construction trucks in Austin, TX.
Replace beeping backup alarms with broadband alarms in construction trucks in Austin, TX.
We, the undersigned, are opposed to the continued use of excessive backup alarms. We call on the contractors around Austin and the City Council of Austin to:
Replace beeping backup alarms of construction vehicles in the city of Austin with broadband backup alarms.
The beeping backup alarms of construction vehicles in our neighborhood are extremely disturbing to Austin residents. The beeping noise is designed to sharply draw the attention of those nearby for safety's sake. Unfortunately, the sound also sharply draws the attention of people well over 1000 feet from the source [1], causing distraction and stress for anyone in range. This can cause people significant harm, as stress caused by noise pollution has been found to negatively impact sleep, our immune system, and risk of heart disease [2]. Backup beepers have been identified as one of the top six noise sources associated with "behavioral and emotional consequences" and are one of the most complained about sources of noise [2].
Replacing beeping alarms with broadband backup alarms (aka white noise alarms) would effectively eliminate the noise nuisance while at the same time making the construction site more safe. They sound like "tshhh tshhh tshhh”. While it is hard to locate the direction of beeping backup alarms, broadband backup alarms are much easier for the human ear to locate. Where beeping backup alarms can be heard from far distances, training workers to ignore the sound, broadband backup alarms are more localized and are only loudly audible if someone is near the danger zone.
A study in 2005 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found broadband backup alarms to be eight times more effective than beeping backup alarms at alerting workers that a nearby vehicle was backing up [1]. In fact, Chris Hanson-Abbot, who produced the first commercial backup alarm, thinks all beeping backup alarms should be replaced with alternatives like broadband backup alarms [3]. The cost is relatively minimal and the change can be easily accomplished.
The petition will be used as leverage to convince other construction sites to change their backup alarms. And it may end up being used as data brought to the Austin city coucil to advocate for a change in law around backup alarms.
Join the email group: austin-noise-pollution@googlegroups.com
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3018517/
[3] https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27308544