City of Ottawa to replace ‘beep’ reversing alarms with ‘whoosh’ on entire snow-clearing fleet

The City of Ottawa is moving to replace the standard beeping reverse alarm on all its snow-clearing fleet with the new broadband alarm system that features a whoosh-type sound — reducing noise during nighttime snow-clearing, while enhancing public safety.

“Technology is ever-changing and as a city we must keep pace,” said Councillor Stephen Blais, Chair of the Transportation Committee. “The evolution from the outdated 'backup beeper alarms' on snow clearing vehicles to a new 'broadband alarm system' will help ensure we reduce noise pollution.”

The city has been piloting the new reversing alert system with snow-clearing vehicles in the central wards 12 to 17, last winter and over the past couple of months. 

As part of the pilot, residents in these wards were surveyed on their feedback, and the response was very favourable. 

The alarm's whoosh sound is directional, meaning it is only audible to those in the hazard area, behind the vehicle. It is less audible to anyone in the surrounding area. The city said the sound also dissipates quicker than the standard beeping alarms.

Institutions, including the University of Ottawa, have conducted research on the broadband alarm system. They found that benefits may go beyond noise reduction, and it may promote enhanced public safety. 

These are a few of those findings:

• It is easier for people to locate the sound.
• The volume adjusts automatically, according to background noise levels in the area being cleared.
• The sound is better at penetrating hearing protection devices and personal headphones.
• Those with hearing impairment may be better able to hear the sound.

This new alarm system is being used on buses in London, England, and on construction vehicles in New York City. 

Whistler, BC, has been using the new alarm since before the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Over that time, they have never reported an injury, despite the heavy pedestrian traffic in the area.

Residents will be able to hear the new alarm for the remainder of this season and again when the snowy weather returns later this year.