RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...

Graeme Martin writes:

"Am I the only one in Cypress Cove being driven to distraction by the 2.50am postal delivery 6 days a week? This issue has been substantially aggravated for me in recent weeks by the ignorance and selfishness of the latest driver(s) (apparently they are subcontracted by USPS) deciding it is fine to leave the motor of their truck running for the 20-30mins it takes to unload and load the truck. Although I have been in touch with the Postmaster three times in the last week, my requests to ask for a meeting have been stonewalled, and no action has ensued with respect to reducing the noise.

"I am now trying to determine what City / County ordinances have to say about antisocial noise. Any pointers would be most welcome.....as would notification from anyone else who is seeking to regain quality of life through a decent night's sleep."

Who else is having this issue?  Any ideas on what can be done about it?

UPDATE:

Be sure to check Jonathan Lundell's response in the comments below.  He may have found the answer...

Comments

[Jonathan Lundell]

If the truck is covered by the new ARB regulations, it's subject to a $100 fine if it's left to idle for more than five minutes. link

[Jonathan Lundell]

According to this ARB news release, enforcement of the idling rule began on February 1. It's pretty short, so I'll take the liberty of quoting the whole thing.

Notice in particular that it can be enforced by "local law enforcement agencies".

ARB Begins Enforcement of Idling Vehicle Rule

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board today announced it will begin enforcing its idling truck rules on February 1, 2005.

Catherine Witherspoon, ARB Executive Officer said, "Emissions from idling diesel vehicles create needless air pollution that threatens public health. Idling trucks and buses add to air pollution levels without providing any benefit to the community. It's time we eliminate this unneeded, unwanted source of air pollution."

The new rule will be enforced primarily by ARB diesel truck inspectors, who inspect smoking trucks and buses for tampering and mal-maintenance to engines that can increase emissions, however, local law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol can also issue citations. The rule will apply to any truck idling for more than five minutes and any bus idling for more than 10 minutes when either are not engaged in work activities. Similar to other ARB rules, the idling rule will be applied to any truck or bus operating within the state's borders regardless of where they were registered.

The rule follows a similar ARB effort to control emissions from idling vehicles near schools that went into effect in 2003. That rule requires school buses and other heavy-duty vehicle operators to turn off their engines immediately whenever they are within 100 feet of a school.

Like the school rule, the ARB expects that most operators will comply with the rule simply to reduce fuel costs. According to ARB data, the average diesel heavy-duty engine burns about one gallon of fuel per hour as it idles. Therefore, ARB inspectors will focus on instructing drivers to the advantages of shutting their engines when the vehicles are not in use. Newer engines using modern diesel fuels don't need to idle between stops to prevent poor operation as older vehicles once needed.

The idling rules are among a series of rules adopted by the ARB as part of its Diesel Risk Reduction Plan, that is designed to cut diesel emissions by 75 percent from 2000 levels by 2010. The ARB is not the first to adopt idling rules, to date 20 other states and cities have enacted such rules. For more information please click here.

[Jonathan Lundell]

A final (maybe) note. The regulation in question applies only to trucks with a gross vehicular weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000 pounds.

How big is that? Big (one-ton) pickups and suchlike (Chevy Suburban, for example) are generally rated at 9,900 lb, which lets them avoid a lot of regulations that apply only above 10,000 lb.

Anything bigger than that almost certainly has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lb.

One other thing. I know it's a pain at 3am, but asking the driver to shut the engine off might be the quickest and easiest way to resolve the problem.

[Christopher Carfi]

Of course, http://www.blowgunsnorthwest.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BNI&Product_Code=BEAST>this is always an option as well. (grin)

[Graeme Martin]

Thanks for this. I have now taken the issue up with the HMB City Police Department, and they have started to monitor the situation. Their view is that something can, and should be done about this noise, but they need the support of a number of complainants. This maximizes the chance of a successful prosecution of the case should it go to court (which I hope it doesn't).
Meanwhile, is the Board the best way to solicit opinions from residents to determine how widespread the disturbance is? Input, once again, is most welcome.