Item - 2019.HL10.5

The Board of Health recommends that:

1.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to include environmental noise mitigation as a priority in transportation planning and operations through:

a.  incorporating noise mitigation measures in upcoming projects, including the Freight and Goods Movement Strategy, the Congestion Management Plan, and the Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Plan;

b.  considering noise mitigation as a factor when reviewing road projects for state of good repair work; and

c.  determining the feasibility and approach for monitoring road traffic noise, associated costs, and budget considerations.

2.  City Council request the General Manager, Fleet Services, to include noise mitigation as a goal of the ongoing prioritization of electric vehicles, as defined in Fleet Services' Procurement Strategy and Green Fleet Plan.

3.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, to include noise mitigation as a goal in the forthcoming TransformTO Electric Vehicle Strategy.

4.  City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to consider the Noise Action Plan, as outlined in the report (October 9, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health, to identify additional opportunities to mitigate noise.

5.  City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to consider the Noise Action Plan, as outlined in the report (October 9, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health, for their programs and policies.

The Board of Health:

1.  Requested the federal Minster of Transport to update the Motor Vehicle Safety Act to further restrict the use of air brakes by freight and transport trucks in urban centres.

2.  Directed that the report (October 9, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for consideration in noise mitigation activities for TTC operations.

3.  Directed that the report (October 9, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Metrolinx for consideration.

Noise from sources such as road traffic and rail contribute to ambient environmental noise in the City. Cities around the world are exploring mitigation measures for environmental noise in recognition of the impacts that noise can have on health. Research from the World Health Organization and other bodies has identified a range of health impacts associated with various levels of environmental noise, such as hearing loss, sleep disturbance, annoyance, and some cardiovascular impacts.

In June 2017, the Board of Health requested the Medical Officer of Health to develop a Noise Action Plan aimed at reducing exposure to ambient environmental noise over time. Experience from other jurisdictions indicates that, because noise occurs from multiple sources across the City, the most effective noise mitigation plans involve collaborative strategies across the jurisdiction.

This report describes a Noise Action Plan for Toronto, with recommendations for several City Divisions and provincial and federal partners. Given that road traffic is a major source of environmental noise in the City, the Noise Action Plan focuses on noise from transportation sources. The Plan identifies noise mitigation measures, such as traffic management, road surface improvements, structural noise attenuation, the promotion of alternate forms of transportation, building design, neighbourhood approaches, and noise monitoring. Toronto Public Health has developed recommendations with Municipal Licensing and Standards, Transportation Services, and other City partners to leverage environmental noise mitigation activities underway and will continue to work with partners to identify additional measures.