The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 85
electric drive potentially attractive for noise, provided cost and other
feasibility issues allow.
Box 31: Fuel cell buses
TfL London Buses is taking part in a European trial of hydrogen fuel cell
buses in partnership with Daimler Chrysler, BP, the Government, Energy
Saving Trust and FirstGroup plc. This includes testing three Daimler
Chrysler fuel cell buses on London streets for two years from December
2003. Carrying up to 70 passengers, they will have an operating range of
200 to 250 kilometres fuelled on compressed hydrogen. Fuel cell buses
promise to be significantly quieter than any conventional vehicle.
Hybrid electric buses and other technologies
In September 2004, Transport for London plan to trial 12 hybrid-electric
buses on route 360, Elephant & Castle to Kensington. In addition to
reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30%, these vehicles promise
considerable noise reduction. The potential of other technologies will be
kept under review.
4A.56 Assessing, specifying and monitoring bus noise in London’s actual
operating conditions is not straightforward. Modern buses have been
required to become quieter, in terms of the standard ‘drive-by test’, when
vehicles are given type approval. In-service noise testing would require
space and other conditions for reliable measurement, which is difficult to
find in London. Indicative in-service measurement ‘on route’ could enable
potentially offending vehicles to be identified for more accurate
measurement elsewhere, or for mechanical checking. Good vehicle
maintenance is important in reducing noise, such as from brakes. Light
transit schemes (see para 4B.38 below) are being considered in pursuit of
the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Options include buses and trams. Schemes
would be likely to operate under more controlled conditions and be
quieter than conventional routes.
4A.57 The Mayor’s Transport Strategy proposes to improve the night bus network
to meet growing demand. Not to meet demand would not necessarily
mean that people would not travel. Many would do so by other motorised
means. The bus fleet in general is a modern one, with 80% of vehicles
dating from after 1996. Traffic management with fewer competing vehicle
movements can offer smoother conditions for buses at night.
4A.58 Modern buses are typically quieter for passengers than those they replace.
However, bus passenger attitudes and aspirations for comfortable noise
environments need to be considered, as resources and priorities permit, as
part of overall service quality, including the soundscape experienced while