(english below)
“Straßenverkehrslärm wird in Befragungen am häufigsten als Ursache einer Lärmstörung genannt.”
Wien.gv – Straßenlärm – Lärm- und Schallschutz
Vor allem stört Bewohner*innen der Lärm von Motorrädern und Lastwagen. Lärmschutzwände und geräuscharme Fahrbahnoberflächen werden eingesetzt zur Lärmbekämpfung. Ausserdem ist die Begrenzung der Fahrgeschwindigkeit ist ein wichtiger Schritt zur Lärmreduzierung.
Um wirklich Lärm flächendecken reduzieren zu können und so auch zu gewährleisten, dass jeder Mensch gesund leben kann, gilt es wirkliche Alternativen anzugehen. Als Alternativen zum motorisierten Individualverkehr nennt die Stadt Wien das Fahrrad und die Öffis (U-Bahn, Bim und Bus) und erwähnt Park-and-Ride für Pendler*innen.
“Road traffic noise is most often mentioned in surveys as the cause of a noise disturbance.”
Wien.gv – Straßenlärm – Lärm- und Schallschutz
Noise pollution has been a big issue, especially – but not only – in cities. Above all, residents are disturbed by the noise of motorcycles and trucks. Noise protection walls and low-noise road surfaces are used to control noise. In addition, limiting the driving speed is an important step towards reducing noise.
In order to be able to really reduce noise across the board and to ensure that everyone can live in a healthy environment, there are real alternatives to tackle. The city of Vienna names bicycles and public transport (metro, tram and bus) as alternatives to motorized private transport and mentions park-and-ride for commuters.
There are quite some studies about noise an the effects it can have on our health and the EU does try and tackle noise pollution (environmental noise directive). Yet, as the World Hearing Index indicates that “participants in Delhi recorded the highest average hearing loss – equivalent to someone 19.34 years older than them. Vienna had the lowest hearing loss – but still, on average, that of someone 10.59 years older.” [1]
A study from 2012 researched the exposure to road traffic noise and air pollution and found that “sounds of car traffic can raise the risk of heart attack in people over 50”. [2] “For every 10 decibels of increase in traffic noise, the risk of heart attacks rises 12 percent.” [3]
Other studys have linked the exposure to noise to an increased risk of obesity or having trouble sleeping. Another study found that people living in areas with high traffic noise were 25 percent more likely than those in quieter neighborhoods to have symptoms of depression, even when adjusting for socioeconomic factors. [2]
A study called Residential Road Traffic Noise and High Depressive Symptoms (2016) focused on the impact on mental health through the exposure of noise.
The participants “with the most depressive symptoms” were “those who were exposed to “intermediate” traffic noise of 60 to 65 decibels for 24 hours a day.” [2]
The World Health Organisation (WHO) names noise-related health issues in a report from 2011, such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, annoyance and stress, hearing problems/tinnitus.
“Public health experts agree that environmental risks constitute 25% of the burden of disease. […] One in three individuals is annoyed during the daytime and one in five has disturbed sleep at night because of traffic noise.” The WHO recognises that “noise pollution is considered not only an environmental nuisance but also a threat to public health.”
The noise pollution maps for the Stadtwildnis show only the highest values above 70 dB, over the course of 24 hours at the level of 4 meters (Data from lärminfo.at). We can clearly see that the Gürtel-area is highly impacted by noise throughout the days and nights.
Wien.gv – Straßenlärm – Lärm- und Schallschutz
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/mar/08/where-world-noisiest-city
[2] https://www.citylab.com/equity/2015/11/city-noise-mental-health-traffic-study/417276/
[3] https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2012/06/traffic-noise-might-give-you-heart-attack/2341/
laerminfo.at
Is Noise Pollution the Next Big Public-Health Crisis?, New Yorker
Where is the world’s noisiest city?, Matthew Keegan, 2018, The Guardian
The Sound of Heavy Traffic Might Take a Toll on Mental Health, Linda Poon, 2015, CityLab
Traffic Noise Might Give You a Heart Attack, Nate Berg, 2012
https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2012/06/traffic-noise-might-give-you-heart-attack/2341/
Noise: Much More Than a Nuisance, Maria Foraster, 21.5.2019
Aktuelle Aktionspläne 2018
Die Aktionsplanung für Umgebungslärm erfolgt auf Basis des Artikels 8 der EU-Umgebungslärmrichtlinie bzw. ihrer nationalen Umsetzung. Verantwortlich ist jeweils die für die Lärmquelle zuständige Behörde, der Aktionsplan für Österreich setzt sich daher aus mehreren Teil-Aktionsplänen zusammen.
https://www.laerminfo.at/aktionsplaene/ap_2018.html
Number of people exposed to high noise levels – Austria – Austria noise fact sheet 2019
Dashboard (Tableau) Published 15 Jan 2020
https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/human/noise/noise-fact-sheets/noise-country-fact-sheets-2019/austria
“These country fact sheets summarise information on noise pollution for selected EEA member countries. The fact sheets are based on the latest official noise data reported every five years by EEA member countries under the Environmental Noise Directive (END).”