A new generation of radars was inaugurated on Tuesday in the Chevreuse valley. The device is part of a national experiment, supposed to reduce noise pollution for health.
The device is aimed at bikers, but not only. On departmental road 46, located in Saint-Lambert-des-Bois (Yvelines), a first sound radar was inaugurated on Tuesday The system, installed in the Chevreuse valley, which is very popular with two-wheelers, makes it possible to flash vehicles too noisy.
“There are acoustic devices that measure the sound level but also detect the origin of the noise, and the distance between the noise emitted and the sensor, explains Fanny Mietlicki, director of the Bruitparif association, which participated in the development of the device. Cameras are also associated with the device to be able to read license plates, and have an image of the scene at the time of the statement of offense.“
This characteristic distinguishes the radar inaugurated on Tuesday from other anti-noise devices already tested in France: the “Medusa” sound sensors (so called because of their shape) are now connected to the image. “Our sound radar goes further, since it integrates two “Medusa” sensors – one at the bottom and the other at the top – and above all it connects this information to cameras. It makes the link between the visual and the sound“, confirms Fanny Mietlicki.
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If offenders will eventually risk a fine of 135 euros, the first fines will only begin in several months. The objective is to first determine the maximum sound level, initially set at 90 decibels. “The mock tests, which begin today, will last three to six months, explains the director of Bruitparif. We are going to send the infringement files – virtual files at this stage – to Cerema (centre for studies and expertise on risks, the environment, mobility and planning), which is in charge of coordinating the ‘experimentation.“
“During this time, we are going to have our system approved, from a legal metrology point of view, she continues. It is only at the end of these two phases (dry tests, and technical approval) that we can move on to the phase of tests with verbalization, rather at the end of the year 2022.“
On the side of the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC), the experiment is denounced. Jean-Marc Belotti, coordinator of the FFMC Paris and Petite Couronne, criticizes a “logic of repression“. “We like to lay traps and ambushes in France, he laments. Certain road users behave inappropriately, that’s for sure, but motorized two-wheelers are far from the only ones concerned.“
“Effectiveness will be limited if multiple vehicles pass together, he further asserts. And as with speed cameras, people will cut the throttle and then speed up.“Jean-Marc Belotti also emphasizes that”motorcyclists who make noise are in the minority” : “Unfortunately we only remember those. But the majority of bikers have compliant exhausts.“
We must continue to work with manufacturers, who have already caught up a lot
Jean-Marc Belotti, coordinator of the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC) Paris and Petite Couronne
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“The Chevreuse valley is a spot, he adds. It’s pretty, there’s nature and bends, it’s nice on a motorcycle to ride around. It is a public road, you can move around freely, respecting the rules.“Faced with complaints from some local residents, the coordinator of the FFMC Paris and Petite Couronne underlines the importance of education:”We have been communicating for a long time on the subject of noise. And we must continue to work with manufacturers, who have already caught up a lot. The motorcycles are homologated at 80 decibels, at 50 km/h and in third. So when you go up in the towers, it can make more noise.“
Fanny Mietlicki explains that two-wheelers are not the only targets: “In Île-de-France, we have a lot of requests concerning the problems of unwanted noise generated by motorcyclists, but also by vehicles that drive in overspeed in general.“Stress, cardiovascular disorders… Exposure to transport-related noise could have several consequences on our health.
Eight municipalities will experiment with the sound radar. A second system will soon be deployed in Villeneuve-le-Roi (Val-de-Marne). Will follow (among others) Paris and Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine).
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