The NASCAR stories are not telling the entire story. In Tuesday’s Herald there were statistics on sound levels and numbers of days of racing and added congestion. Saying that the number of days the track is used for practice and races is 80 practice days plus race days does not put this in perspective. This is about one-quarter of the days in a year, so there would be increased noise and congestion one day out of four on average.
The sound level statistics seem to be in error. The decibel level for one mile from the track is listed as 68-72 decibels while the two-mile level is 69-73 decibels. This is saying that the noise from the racetrack is louder farther away from the track. Because this is possible depending on terrain, absorption and reflection, there is more data needed, and the data should accurately characterize the noise and disturbance from the races and practices to be fair and complete in presenting this situation to the public.
The sound level comparisons should also be more explicit. The article states that 60 decibels is normal conversation, which is a commonly used value, but you should also tell people that the sound level from the race track would be 60 decibels out to a distance of five miles from the track. I measured the sound levels in my house to be 40 decibels and this means that the sound from the track would be louder than my current house sound level out to a distance of about 25 miles according to the appropriate equations and calculations.
One more variable that should also be considered in your stories is that the NASCAR track noise and congestion should not be considered only by itself. Other new sources of noise and congestion that people have talked about mean that we will have increased noise and congestion and reduced quality of life not just one day in four, but more frequently. This is why there needs to be a master plan for development that looks at the broad picture and looks at more than just economic development.
Charles Ardary
Everett
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