Re: "Jake brakes" on the Bicentennial Highway

I am writing to you because you live near the Bicentennial Highway.

Good news! The use of jake brakes has decreased significantly since the province installed "No Engine Braking" signs on the BiHi last November. Several Fairview residents living near the highway have confirmed that there has been a noticeable improvement.

The Department of Transportation is going to do some further monitoring this summer, to ensure that the decrease in jake-brake usage is continuing.

Background
From the time I was first elected, in 2001, I have heard from many people in your neighbourhood that they were disturbed by the sound of "jake brakes" on the Bicentennial Highway.

"Jake brakes", also known as "engine brakes", are the engine-retardant brakes that are a safety tool for drivers of heavy trucks. But they are also a major aggravation for people living near truck routes, especially at night.

The use of jake brakes is illegal in a 50 km/h zone. But most of the BiHi has a speed limit higher than 50, so the use of jake brakes is legal. However, safety officers from the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association have confirmed to me that, under normal driving conditions, the use of jake brakes is not necessary on the portion of the BiHi that passes Fairview. Noise can be reduced without compromising trucker safety.

In November 2004, the Province installed "No Engine Braking" signs on the BiHi near Fairview. These are not legally enforceable signs, but they are a reminder to truckers that the use of engine brakes is strongly discouraged.

The DOT Study
The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation & Public Works recently completed a jake-brakes study on the portion of the Bicentennial Highway that passes Fairview. The sound monitoring station was on School Avenue. I received a copy of the report during the recently-completed session of the Legislature.

If you would like to read the engineers' report (6 pages), you can download it from my website (www.grahamsteele.ca/jakebrakes.html). If you do not have Internet access, or if you would like to read the report with supporting data (29 pages), please call my office at 453-5556 and I will have a copy delivered to you.

Conclusion
I would like to thank the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association; the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation & Public Works; and especially the local residents who have been working with me on this issue. We have made real progress.

We still must be vigilant. If you hear a truck using its jake brakes on the Bicentennial Highway as it passes Fairview, and if you can see the name on the side of the truck, please let me know, and I will call the company and encourage their drivers to respect the "No Engine Braking" signs.

Wishing you a peaceful summer,
[signed]
Graham Steele, MLA
Halifax Fairview

(I have, for now, left out the name of the company, to give them a chance to reply. I will post their reply when I receive it, or if I do not receive a reply within a reasonable time, I will post the company's name.):

Re: Use of Jake Brakes on Bicentennial Highway

I am writing on behalf of my constituents who live near the Bicentennial Highway. as it passes Fairview down past School Avenue and Abbott Drive into Bayers Road. What makes this stretch of highway unique is the proximity of the highway to residential streets.

I am writing to you because trucks with the * logos have been identified to me by area residents as particularly frequent users of their engine brakes.

The use of engine brakes or "jake brakes" on this stretch of highway is a long-standing source of discomfort for neighbourhood residents. In fact, towards the bottom of the hill as the highway passes over Joseph Howe Drive, the use of jake brakes becomes illegal because the speed limit there is
reduced to 50 km/h.

I have toured the area with safety representatives from the Atlantic Provinces Truckers' Association and they assure me that trucks can, in normal driving conditions, safely slow down here without using their jake brakes. This observation has been confirmed to me by others who are familiar with the operation of heavy trucks.

Recently, the provincial Department of Transportation designated this stretch of highway for a "pilot project" on limiting the use of jake brakes. After road work is completed at the end of this month, signs forbidding the use of engine brakes will be posted.

On behalf of my constituents, I would ask your company to consider whether there is anything it can do to encourage its drivers to eliminate their use of jake brakes. Perhaps simply bringing this concern to your drivers' attention would help. Stronger measures would, of course, be welcome. Anything [your company] can do to be a "good neighbour" would be positively received by the community I represent, and I would certainly bring [your company]'s positive efforts to their attention.

Of course I welcome your call (453-5556) or e-mail (graham@grahamsteele.ca) should you have any questions or comments on this issue.

Yours sincerely,
Graham Steele, MLA
Halifax Fairview

This "Information Note" was given to me by Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation, in the Legislature.

Engine Retarder (Jake) Brakes

Subject:

Local residents have complained strongly about the loud noise generated by Jake brakes as heavy trucks reduce speed on the Bicentennial Highway (BiHi) opposite School Avenue.

Background:

* Legislation was passed in 2000 prohibiting the use of engine brakes in 50 km/h speed zones except in emergency situations.
* There has been minimal enforcement of this legislation.
* NDP MLA Graham Steele unsuccessfully introduced a bill last year that would allow the local traffic authority to prohibit the use of Jake brakes in areas where the speed limit is over 50 km/h.
* The speed limit on the BiHi opposite School Avenue is 70 km/h; the speed limit on the BiHi at Bayer's Road is 50 km/h, where jake brake prohibition begins.

Analysis:

* The Minister has agreed to consider a location specific solution to this situation.
* The suggested solution has three elements:

(1) introduction of advanced information signs in the 70 km/h zone for the approaching jake brake prohibition zone, and also the collection of average truck speed and sound level data before and after the posting of the signs;

(2) concentrated period of enforcement using our vehicle compliance staff; and

(3) reinforcement letters to the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association and the Truckers Association of Nova Scotia of the need for further education of their members with respect to the proper use of Jake brakes.

Recommendation:

* That the Department proceed with this initiative in an attempt to reduce the inappropriate use of Jake brakes in this residential area.

Alok Wadhawan,

On behalf of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association's Safety Council, I would like to thank you for your time and input today. We are pleased to hear that within weeks the department will be in a position to erect information signage at the end of the 102 highway south, Bayers road location to inform commercial drivers of refraining from engine brake use. I will contact Jim Gerrim of the department of transportation in Bedford in two weeks to arrange a meeting at the sight with Graham Steele and myself. Thank you again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

John Cotterill
Director, APTA Safety Council
902-468-5624
902-497-1268

From: "Alok Wadhawan"
To: <jcotterill@onyourteam.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: No Engine Braking

As I mentioned to you the Department will be approving a policy regarding the erection of "No Engine Braking" sign. The policy has strict guidelines for the erection of the signs and once approved I would suggest that you call Jim and he will look at the location for the sign in consultation with the Area Manager and they will approve or reject the location.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me.

Alok Wadhawan
424-3539

IRRESPONSIBLE ENGINE BRAKE USAGE

Please be advised that APTA is STILL receiving complaints of excessive Engine Brake usage in residential areas around Atlantic Canada. Specific areas that have been affected as of late include, the Bicentennial Highway inbound routing to Halifax from Bayers Road, the end of the Highway 102 South at Joseph Howe Drive area. The area where the concerned residents are located is between Exits 1 and Zero, the posted speed is 90 km/h and drops down to 70 km/h zone. The night time hours are the hours of concern. Please request drivers/operators to utilize their engine brakes responsibly during the night time hours.

In this day and age when we are constantly trying to improve the image of the trucking industry, excessive Engine Brake usage certainly does not help.

Please remind your drivers to be thoughtful of residential areas when applying their Engine Brakes.

STEELE INTRODUCES BILL TO ADDRESS “JAKE BRAKES” CONCERNS

Halifax - Halifax Fairview MLA Graham Steele has responded to concerns raised by his constituents by introducing amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act which would help to limit the use of “jake brakes” near residential areas.

“My constituents have complained to me about the loud noise generated by ‘jake brakes’, as heavy trucks reduce speed on the Bicentennial Highway,” says Steele. “Parts of Fairview are very close to the BiHi and my constituents tell me they’re literally jolted out of bed. We’re looking for a night-time ban.”

Steele said he has raised with the issue with officials at the Department of Transportation, who say they’re sympathetic but can’t do anything without a change in the law. Steele has also personally toured the area with safety representatives from the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association.

“The amendments I am introducing today will enable the local traffic authority to prohibit the use of these braking systems in speed zones greater than 50 kilometres an hour,” says Steele. “The prohibition is not mandatory. The traffic authority will have the discretion whenever local circumstances warrant to control noise levels.”

Large trucks are equipped with diesel engine-retardant braking systems - or “jake brakes” - which cause a loud engine noise when applied. Use of jake brakes is prohibited in a 50 km/h zone, but there is no discretion to prohibit them where posted speed limits are higher than 50 km/h. The portion of the Bicentennial Highway descending into Halifax is a 70 km/h zone.

As you will see from the pictures (not included), as the 102 South bound ends and becomes Bayers Rd, drivers are required to reduce speed from 100 km to 90 km. The issue is where the speed is reduced further from 90 km to 70km then ultimately 50km. The 70 km zone includes a fairly long downgrade, a turn at the bottom on a bridge with several merging lanes. Truck drivers would automatically utilize their engine brakes. The 50 km zone is not where they would be used nor where the complaints are originating. The best suggestion would be an education campaign with the carriers and a sign requesting engine brake restriction during night time hours 7pm-7am. Currently there is no Provincial or Municipal regulations in this area because of the speed limit and moving back the speed limit does not seem feasible due to the layout of the land. - John