Comments on: NYPD Amps Up Street Noise With the “Rumbler” http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: acoustician http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-145461 acoustician Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:28:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-145461 And here I thought NYC was getting quieter with the "no honking" enforcement of recent years. I hope that this system is on-demand, rather than constant with the traditional siren! And here I thought NYC was getting quieter with the “no honking” enforcement of recent years. I hope that this system is on-demand, rather than constant with the traditional siren!

]]> By: Ian Dutton http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-144501 Ian Dutton Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:14:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-144501 NYTC = NYC, above. NYTC = NYC, above.

]]> By: Ian Dutton http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-144491 Ian Dutton Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:13:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-144491 I think the reality is that in NYTC more than anywhere else, drivers consider themselves more important than emergency vehicles and react accordingly when they hear a siren. Nowhere else do you see such blatant disregard for emergency vehicle right-of-way. And those drivers who might want to do the "right thing" are pinned in by everyone else who's stuck in traffic. Of course, the real "right thing" was to take public transit, walk or ride a bike. By choosing to drive, a driver is choosing to contribute to delayed response times and needless deaths when emergency vehicles are blocked from rapid access. But that doesn't immediately affect the person behind the wheel, so it's no big deal, right? I think the reality is that in NYTC more than anywhere else, drivers consider themselves more important than emergency vehicles and react accordingly when they hear a siren. Nowhere else do you see such blatant disregard for emergency vehicle right-of-way.

And those drivers who might want to do the “right thing” are pinned in by everyone else who’s stuck in traffic. Of course, the real “right thing” was to take public transit, walk or ride a bike.

By choosing to drive, a driver is choosing to contribute to delayed response times and needless deaths when emergency vehicles are blocked from rapid access. But that doesn’t immediately affect the person behind the wheel, so it’s no big deal, right?

]]> By: Kaja http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-143761 Kaja Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:05:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-143761 First Google hit, http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/emer-ndx.htm Do you have a driver's license? First Google hit, http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/emer-ndx.htm

Do you have a driver’s license?

]]> By: J:Lai http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-143691 J:Lai Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:26:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-143691 Somewhat related - does anyone know if under NY law you are required to move out of the way of emergency vehicles using lights/sirens? Or this just a common courtesy? Somewhat related -
does anyone know if under NY law you are required to move out of the way of emergency vehicles using lights/sirens? Or this just a common courtesy?

]]> By: Kaja http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142711 Kaja Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:34:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142711 Nanterking, the argument from authority's appreciated. Cars being sensory dampeners, it's hard to know what drivers are thinking when they don't move out of the way. Yourself and Leo both speculate. Temperamentally I'm with Leo! Seems to me like the rumbler's an improvement. Nanterking, the argument from authority’s appreciated. Cars being sensory dampeners, it’s hard to know what drivers are thinking when they don’t move out of the way. Yourself and Leo both speculate. Temperamentally I’m with Leo!

Seems to me like the rumbler’s an improvement.

]]> By: nanterking http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142681 nanterking Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:01:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142681 What part of "the rumbler is more tolerable than a traditional siren" are you guys not understanding? Sometimes I feel like this board is designed so people can only hear themselves talk and not see other's posts. Since I see other posts, though, I know that can't be true. People *don't* hear always the sirens, because you can tell when a driver suddenly hears you and moves out of your way. There are those who deliberately ignore or try to make it through the intersection first, but most people simply haven't heard the warning sounds because of their radio or the simple directionality of high-pitched sounds. Of course, you guys probably won't listen to someone who drives ambulances and has used the rumbler, and will continue to post your uninformed opinions. Carry on! What part of “the rumbler is more tolerable than a traditional siren” are you guys not understanding? Sometimes I feel like this board is designed so people can only hear themselves talk and not see other’s posts. Since I see other posts, though, I know that can’t be true.

People *don’t* hear always the sirens, because you can tell when a driver suddenly hears you and moves out of your way. There are those who deliberately ignore or try to make it through the intersection first, but most people simply haven’t heard the warning sounds because of their radio or the simple directionality of high-pitched sounds.

Of course, you guys probably won’t listen to someone who drives ambulances and has used the rumbler, and will continue to post your uninformed opinions. Carry on!

]]> By: valaire http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142671 valaire Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142671 It's not like cops will have anything pressing to do, when they are going to use them. It’s not like cops will have anything pressing to do, when they are going to use them.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142551 Mark Walker Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:59:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142551 Thank you Rex! Thank you Rex!

]]> By: rex http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142541 rex Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:54:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142541 Why does our government hate us so much? I obey the law, 'though it's perceived scope has become unconscionable. Damage the ones who threaten us in our public spaces everyday and not my sensitive self propelled ears. Mark Walker once chastised me for my bicycle mounted air horn. After a pint or two of reflection, I agreed and binned it. Why does our government hate us so much? I obey the law, ‘though it’s perceived scope has become unconscionable. Damage the ones who threaten us in our public spaces everyday and not my sensitive self propelled ears.

Mark Walker once chastised me for my bicycle mounted air horn. After a pint or two of reflection, I agreed and binned it.

]]> By: Kaja http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142381 Kaja Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:23:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142381 > so why couldn't there be a new requirement for an emergency signal receiver? You'd then get to watch me hack this in seven minutes flat, and use it for very brief periods from an apartment overlooking a busy intersection, just for kicks. Always consider how your proposals can be mis/ab-used. > so why couldn’t there be a new requirement for an emergency signal receiver?

You’d then get to watch me hack this in seven minutes flat, and use it for very brief periods from an apartment overlooking a busy intersection, just for kicks.

Always consider how your proposals can be mis/ab-used.

]]> By: Stacy http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142371 Stacy Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:21:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142371 This sounds like the worst idea ever. Instead of designing louder and more obnoxious ways to get peoples' attention, how about redesigning cars so that drivers can hear some of the noise around them? My guess is most drivers are perfectly aware when an emergency vehicle is approaching. Those that don't clear the way either have nowhere to go or are too selfish to yield. This sounds like the worst idea ever.

Instead of designing louder and more obnoxious ways to get peoples’ attention, how about redesigning cars so that drivers can hear some of the noise around them?

My guess is most drivers are perfectly aware when an emergency vehicle is approaching. Those that don’t clear the way either have nowhere to go or are too selfish to yield.

]]> By: Carfree Chicago http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142331 Carfree Chicago Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:24:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142331 I'm surprised that nobody has come up with technology yet for emergency vehicles to broadcast signals to cars that would shut off the radio and play a siren inside the vehicle. That would allow the sirens to be much much quieter, as they wouldn't need to pierce the bubbles drivers surround themselves with. It would make life much more pleasant for pedestrians and people who live on busy urban streets. Car are required to be built with turn signals and horns, so why couldn't there be a new requirement for an emergency signal receiver? I’m surprised that nobody has come up with technology yet for emergency vehicles to broadcast signals to cars that would shut off the radio and play a siren inside the vehicle. That would allow the sirens to be much much quieter, as they wouldn’t need to pierce the bubbles drivers surround themselves with. It would make life much more pleasant for pedestrians and people who live on busy urban streets. Car are required to be built with turn signals and horns, so why couldn’t there be a new requirement for an emergency signal receiver?

]]> By: nanterking http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142321 nanterking Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:19:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142321 I drove an ambulance with a rumbler for a while, and I can tell you that its effect is similar to having some 19 y/o with twin 12" subwoofers in his hooptie drive by you. It's actually far more tolerable than a traditional siren, at least for short periods. It'll be interesting to see if they catch on and are used consistently, though. We found that people didn't respond much better to the rumbler than the siren, and the only thing that had a chance of waking oblivious drivers was the air horn. I drove an ambulance with a rumbler for a while, and I can tell you that its effect is similar to having some 19 y/o with twin 12″ subwoofers in his hooptie drive by you. It’s actually far more tolerable than a traditional siren, at least for short periods.

It’ll be interesting to see if they catch on and are used consistently, though. We found that people didn’t respond much better to the rumbler than the siren, and the only thing that had a chance of waking oblivious drivers was the air horn.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142221 Mark Walker Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:35:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142221 I won't judge it until I've heard it. But I will say that conventional sirens are pretty bad. My building's courtyard contains and amplifies the sound to the point where it can drown out conversation. And sirens are one of the reasons I wear silicon-gel earplugs in the street. I won’t judge it until I’ve heard it. But I will say that conventional sirens are pretty bad. My building’s courtyard contains and amplifies the sound to the point where it can drown out conversation. And sirens are one of the reasons I wear silicon-gel earplugs in the street.

]]> By: paco http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142201 paco Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:31:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142201 It may not be music to our ears, but my gut says this is a good move. Overall, NYPD is fantastic and truly does want to serve and protect us (even the cyclists) but when inattentive drivers and pedestrians don't clear the way for vehicles responding to emergencies, situations can get worse. When I was knocked off my bike by an oblivious drivers, laying face down on the ground, unable to move I welcomed the distant sounds of police and ambulance sirens. I'm wiling to give cops benefit of the doubt that they won't be using the Rumbler when it's not necessary. If they do, well... it's gonna be very obvious to everyone. It may not be music to our ears, but my gut says this is a good move. Overall, NYPD is fantastic and truly does want to serve and protect us (even the cyclists) but when inattentive drivers and pedestrians don’t clear the way for vehicles responding to emergencies, situations can get worse.
When I was knocked off my bike by an oblivious drivers, laying face down on the ground, unable to move I welcomed the distant sounds of police and ambulance sirens. I’m wiling to give cops benefit of the doubt that they won’t be using the Rumbler when it’s not necessary. If they do, well… it’s gonna be very obvious to everyone.

]]> By: цarьchitect http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/26/nypd-amps-up-street-noise-with-the-rumbler/comment-page-1/#comment-142191 цarьchitect Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:24:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=77611#comment-142191 We have these in DC (one went by my office an hour ago), and they’re pretty freaking obnoxious… although they’re not much worse than the sirens we already have. Still, these, walking signal noises, and warning lights on the tops of buses, all add up to an increasingly unpleasant soundscape outside. We have these in DC (one went by my office an hour ago), and they’re pretty freaking obnoxious… although they’re not much worse than the sirens we already have.

Still, these, walking signal noises, and warning lights on the tops of buses, all add up to an increasingly unpleasant soundscape outside.

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