Beijing seeks to put an end to noisy traffic by implementing the city's first-ever automated system that will identify and penalize drivers that excessively use their horns.
Described as a "sonar system," drivers who indiscriminately honk their horns will be triangulated by a computerized system of microphones and cameras that will record their license plates.
"The detectors consist of three parts, namely, a microphone array acquisition device, an electronic capture, and a LED prompt system," said Li Jianfeng, deputy director of the Scientific and Technical Information Department of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau.
Li said the system is so precise that it can identify a violator within two seconds and distinguish between vehicles.
"Parallel vehicles can also be identified based on their position in each lane; the recognition locator feature can reflect the direction the honks are coming from, so there will be no misjudgment," said Li.
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"Combining the three systems, we can distinguish between the sounds of horns, brakes and engine noise," said Li.
The system will also publicly display the license plates of offending cars.
The system was set up last week in two Beijing neighborhoods that are designated "no horn" zones: the Xiaowei Hutong in Dongcheng, and the west gate of Peking Union Medical Hospital.
Dongdan traffic constable Bai Yun said the system will formally begin issuing fines this week after having completed its trial run. The automated system is said to expand to other areas of Beijing in the future.
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Violators will be fined RMB 100 (under USD 15), but won't be deducted any points on their licenses.
According to the 14th item of the 91st statute of the "People's Republic of China Road Traffic Safety Law," motorists are not allowed to use their horns to prompt or urge cars or pedestrians that have stopped or are slowly moving.
Beijing widened its ban on vehicle honking from within the Third Ring Road to the Fourth Ring Road in July 2001, and extended it again to the Fifth Ring Road in April 2007.
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