“We are the most proactive city in the nation and among the six special municipalities in enforcing noise control. Since the launch of the Silent Taoyuan Project on June 1, 2023, we have not only intensified our crackdown on noisy vehicles but also proactively traced and guided vehicle modification businesses. Additionally, we have implemented various measures to address urban noise issues. Based on analyses of noise complaint hotspots, we established the nation’s first Quiet Demonstration Zone. In this zone, we have strengthened joint inspections by environmental, police, and traffic authorities, utilized sound-based photo enforcement, conducted source investigations of modifications, implemented DUI and noisy vehicle reporting mechanisms, deployed AI systems to detect modified exhaust pipes, and adjusted traffic signal timing to reduce vehicle speeds. Since the establishment of the Quiet Demonstration Zone, noise complaints have significantly decreased, and citation numbers have reached their highest levels. This demonstrates how committed the Taoyuan City Government is to safeguarding the tranquility of its residents,” confidently stated Wu Hsiao-Wan, Section Chief of the Noise Control and Environmental Monitoring Section, Department of Environmental Protection, Taoyuan City Government.
Taoyuan is the youngest city in terms of average age among Taiwan’s six special municipalities. Its urban and rural areas feature wide road designs, which tend to attract modified vehicles and street racers. Consequently, street racing and noise issues have become significant disturbances in residents' daily lives. In response, the Taoyuan City Government launched a cross-agency joint enforcement initiative in 2023. The initiative brought together the Department of Environmental Protection, Police Department, and the Department of Economic Development to form a Joint Inspection and Enforcement Task Force, working in collaboration with traffic regulatory agencies to execute the comprehensive enforcement effort under the “Silent Taoyuan Project.”
Environmental, Police, and Traffic Joint Inspections and Spot Checks
“We set up inspection stations at traffic hotspots and during peak times identified from public complaints. Taoyuan’s population is growing, including an increasing number of foreign residents and migrant workers who also use transportation tools. When conducting checks on them, communication in English is often required. To address this, we’ve established an English-language SOP for handling cases involving noisy vehicles owned by migrant workers. This SOP includes details such as when they need to return for re-inspection and the specific improvements required, including deadlines. This ensures that our colleagues can complete inspections even when language barriers arise,” shared Huang Ming-Chien, Contract Assistant of the Noise Control and Environmental Monitoring Section, Department of Environmental Protection, Taoyuan City Government.
Since June 2023, under the supervision of Deputy Mayor Su Chun-Pin, the Department of Environmental Protection has conducted inspections at an average frequency of three times per week. Collaborating with the Police Department and the Motor Vehicles Office, these operations are carried out during late-night hours on major roads and areas frequently visited by noisy vehicles. Police officers stop vehicles, the Department of Environmental Protection performs on-the-spot noise level testing, and Motor Vehicles Office personnel inspect the vehicles to identify modifications. Violators exceeding noise thresholds face fines ranging from NT$1,800 to NT$3,600 and are issued notices to make improvements within a specified time. Those failing to comply within the deadline are subject to repeated fines to deter violations.
During the enforcement period, inspections were sometimes intensified to six times per week, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The dedicated environmental, police, and traffic personnel often worked overtime, sacrificing their rest to safeguard the peaceful nights that rightfully belong to the residents of Taoyuan.
Sound-Based Photo Enforcement
In addition to traditional on-site inspections, AI technology is utilized to assist in cracking down on modified vehicles. “Sound-Based Photo Enforcement Systems,” including noise meters, wind speed meters, fisheye cameras, and license plate recognition cameras, are installed at hotspots frequented by modified vehicles. These systems automatically detect vehicles exceeding noise decibel limits, collect evidence, and issue citations, significantly improving enforcement efficiency. During the installation of these enforcement systems, efforts are made to minimize disruption to citizens’ road usage, pedestrian pathways, and driving visibility. The Department of Environmental Protection personnel work diligently to adjust the position, height, and angle of the devices in a flexible manner, ensuring enforcement does not interfere with daily life. Huang Ming-Chien shared, “For example, when we install these systems near schools, we respond promptly if parents, school staff, or residents raise concerns about pedestrian safety or bright lights from the equipment. We immediately make adjustments to mitigate these issues. This means we must consider multiple factors during implementation—not only solving the noise problem but also maintaining smooth traffic flow.”
Source Investigation and Guidance for Modifications
To effectively control modified vehicles at the source, the Taoyuan City Government has integrated resources across departments. The Department of Economic Development oversees inspections related to the business registration of modification shops and even traces the manufacturers of modification parts. During implementation, some controversies arose, such as when inspection personnel photographed modified vehicles under repair at a shop during a routine visit, leading to reports and requiring the vehicle owners to undergo re-inspections at the Motor Vehicles Office. While these actions sparked debates over enforcement practices, the purpose of law-based administration remains clear: to deter illegal vehicle modifications through source investigation and guidance, thereby safeguarding the peace and quality of life for residents.
Noise Vehicle Source Certification System
During the implementation of the “Silent Taoyuan Project,” Taoyuan Deputy Mayor Su Chun-Pin not only actively advocated for legislative amendments at the central government level but also successfully facilitated the implementation of the “Noise Vehicle Source Certification System” in 2024. During the grace period (ending December 31, 2024), owners of vehicles equipped with non-original exhaust systems can voluntarily register their vehicles through the Environmental Protection Ministry's “Replacement Exhaust Noise Inspection Information System.” Once the registered vehicles pass the noise inspection, the Ministry of Environmental Protection issues a certification number, which is forwarded to the Motor Vehicles Office for registration updates. After the grace period, any vehicles not registered in the system or failing on-site noise inspections will be directly reported by the Department of Environmental Protection or the Police Department to the Motor Vehicles Office for penalties in accordance with the law.
Diversified Inspection Efforts
Social issues often reveal only the surface of deeper underlying problems, and the causes behind these phenomena warrant further investigation. Noise vehicle regulation involves a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Motor Vehicles Office) managing the source, to business operators (the Department of Economic Development), and ultimately to vehicles producing noise while on the road (the Police Department and the Department of Environmental Protection). These aspects are beyond the sole jurisdiction of environmental agencies, making the integration and coordination of resources among related units crucial to planning more diversified inspection strategies. Through the top-down integration and cross-departmental collaboration efforts led by the Taoyuan City Government, residents have regained peaceful nights.
Residents can report “noisy vehicles” via the Environmental Protection Administration’s Noise Vehicle Reporting Website. During patrols, road inspections, and crackdowns on dangerous or drunk driving, the Police Department actively stops suspected modified noisy vehicles. Relevant evidence is then submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for reporting and enforcement. For those unable to record noisy vehicle information, complaints can be submitted to the relevant authorities, who will strengthen inspections, investigations, and enforcement in the affected areas.