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Road noise: Strategy for future work to reduce road noise
Noise from road traffic is a serious environmental and health problem. The Danish Government has therefore put forward a Strategy for Road Noise reduction. This analyses measures that could be taken to deal with the problem and offers ten specific initiatives to help authorities and the public organise cost-effective local efforts to combat noise.
700,000 dwellings in Denmark are affected by noise, of which 150,000 are badly affected. Noise close to a dwelling exceeding 65 decibels is considered a severe noise impact. Noise is often merely a nuisance, but in some cases it can cause both physical problems and emotional strain. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), exposure to noise from road traffic over longer periods can lead to stress-related health problems.
More than 90 percent of the affected homes are located alongside Municipal and County roads. Of these, about 85 percent are near Municipal roads. The State will support the Strategy through future investment in noise reduction along State roads.
The 10 initiatives detailed in the Strategy aim to establish an improved framework for local action. In addition to focusing the efforts, the Road Noise Strategy comprises the foundation for implementation of the EU Noise Directive. According to this Directive, public authorities must prepare strategic noise maps by 2007 and noise management action plans by 2008. Moreover, these have to be updated and revised every five years.
Further information: Flemming Secher, Danish EPA. Phone: +45 3266 0460. E-mail: fds@mst.dk, or Brian Kristensen, Danish EPA. Phone: +45 3266 0213 E-mail: brk@mst.dk Phone: +45 3266 0100.
10 initiatives presented in the strategy are listed in the press release announcing publication of the strategy in December 2003 http://www.mst.dk/news/09580000.htm
Read the whole Strategy (in Danish) at http://www.mst.dk/transport/03020100.htm and the key chapter in English http://www.mst.dk/transportuk/02020200.htm
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