VANCOUVER – Do you find that ‘beep beep’ sound that plays when a truck is backing up annoying? Well the University of Victoria is one of the first organizations on Vancouver Island to use a new technology to warn people and drivers.
Replacing the ‘beep beep’ sound is a white-noise signal. The new technology has been installed on the university’s larger maintenance vehicles.
The new alarms produce a hissing noise, and the sound is directional so pedestrians can identify where it is coming from. The alarms can also be set at much quieter levels as they use a broadband frequency that can be localized. The alarm volume will adjust automatically to the background noise, so as to not be any louder than necessary.
Listen to the sound:
“We wanted to explore new ways to reduce noise pollution and disruption here on campus and for our neighbours, while still keeping our staff and students safe,” said Ron Proulx, executive director of UVic’s facilities management department, in a news release. “We consulted with WorksafeBC and the neighbourhood association, and we’re very pleased with the outcome.”
About 25 vehicles have been switched to the new alarms, including vans, pickups, and compactors.
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