Excessive engine braking will soon be caught on camera as the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) looks to stamp out public dismay with a new ‘noise camera' initiative.

Announced earlier this month, the noise camera to be installed at the northern end of Takitimu Drive will attempt to reduce a number of complaints received by the NZTA regarding excessive engine braking in the area.

The New Zealand Transport Agency will trial a noise camera along the northern end of Takitimu Drive to prevent engine braking in the area.

NZTA's Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says the trial is a direct response to these complaints with the agency currently reviewing options to address the disturbance – with the ‘noise camera' being one of them.

The main issue reported to the NZTA is engine braking causing sleep disturbance at night which is often intensified because other environmental sounds including general road traffic, are lower during the night.

'We are working with the road transport industry to address issues relating to the use of heavy trucks engine braking and the noise impact on residents, particularly at night.”

Engine braking is a safety feature on trucks allowing faster and more controlled slowing of trucks. Engine braking systems are automatic and have to be manually over-ridden by the driver.

Although there is no fixed period, the NZTA is looking to trial the camera from between six-12 months before moving the equipment to other locations in New Zealand where there is a noise issue.

The legal limit for noise readings of engine braking is 65 decibels, but an appropriate trigger sound level for the camera will be determined as part of the trial.

'Trucks using engine brakes can be in the order of 10 decibels louder than trucks not using engine brakes, and the trigger will be set to capture only those using engine brakes.

The area currently has an 80km/h speed limit – considered appropriate for arterial routes under the Ministry of Transports' ‘Land Transports Setting of Speed Limits 2003'.

Brett says while the problem is likely to become less of an issue over time as modern trucks are increasingly fitted with quieter engine braking systems, a number of older trucks will be on New Zealand roads for many years to come.

If operators are found to exceed the legal limit they will be asked to reduce their use of engine braking in the area.