12 april 2023

How European noise policies can support actions at a local

level

Henk Wolfert

henk.wolfert@dcmr.nl

EPA

2 Content

• Introduction• Working Group Noise activities• Recommendations to improve the

END• What is wanted from EU?• Conclusions• Questions

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3 Introduction

• DCMR EPA (Greater Rotterdam Area)– Province of South Holland– 18 municipalities, including Rotterdam

• Former manager Noise Section• Chairman WG Noise Alliance of Dutch Provinces

(2006)• Noise Expert CEMR/CCRE (until 2008)• European Policy Advisor DCMR EPA• Member Expert Group Environmt. Noise EC• Chairman Working Group Noise EUROCITIES• Member EUROCITIES Environmental Forum• Chairman congress Noise in the City 2008

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4 About Working Group NoiseEPAEPAEPA

Activities Working Group Noise

• Exchange of knowledge & experiences

• Noise in the City 2008• Noise Questionnaire• Position Paper on END• Gaining Political Interest• Consultations EU legislation &

requirements• Participation in

projects/programmes

5EPA

EPANoise in the City 2008 Amsterdam6

Noise Questionnaire7EPA

EPA Noise Questionnaire, the good & bad news

55% of citizens in cities are exposed > 55dB Lden

Most cities are aware of their noise problems

Poor progress has been made on noise reduction

Poor progress on noise reduction at source

END is helpful to show the extent of noise burden EU

END isn't effective enough

Doubting about adding limits to the END

Quiet Urban Areas, where are they?

8

EPAMain noise problems in cities are:

Figure 1 Question 1a: main noise problems

98%54%

66%70%

63%55%

66%5%

0% 50% 100% 150%

1

answer

percentage

Low frequency noise

Neighbourhood noise

Recreational noise

Air traffic noise

Construction noise

Railway noise

Industrial noise

Traffic noise

9

10

Noise Budgets in Cities EPA

Position Paper on END11EPA

• Visualisation Noise burden in EU• Obtaining data• Common methods• Informing the public• Cross border situation• Action Plans• Quiet Urban Areas• Military sites• Threshold value too high

Recommendations END [1]

1. Data structures (guidelines)

2. Noise Maps future situation

3. Cumulative Noise Maps

4. Strengthening Cross Border Coordination

5. Inclusion of Military Sites

6. SMART Action Plans are needed

7. Lower thresholds 40 LDEN 35 LNIGHT

8. Limits and/or targets

12EPA

Recommendations END [2]

9. Measures to stimulate public and political debate

10. Other noise sort could be included in action plans (scooters, mopeds etc.)

11. Formal status Good Practice Guide

12. Stronger link with EU policies on sources and stricter ELV for vehicles etc.

13. Elimination of inconsistencies and ambiguities

14. More attention to Quiet (Urban) Areas

13EPA

EPAAnd,.. not to forget:14

Recommendations EU [1]

• Stricter ELV’s for:• Vehicles• Tyres• Railway stock• Airplanes• Outdoor Equipment

• Promote holistic and integrated approaches

• Horizontal (with other policy field)• Vertical (multi-level)

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Recommendations cities [2]

• Synchronise EU plans (Air, Energy, Noise….)

• Raise consumer awareness • Labelling products• European helpdesk

• For experts• For public

• Quiet city Award, other initiatives• European Noise Ambassador

16EPA

17 Linking with other fields – city bus

Hybrid solution:

Low speeds: electrical traction

Modest speed: generator + electrical

Energy friendly

Energy friendly

Low Air p

ollutio

n

Low Air p

ollutio

n

Low NoiseLow Noise

petrol, diesel, bio-diesel, bio-ethanol, hydrogen, CNG

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18 Example: Side skirts

Energy saving (5-15 %)

Less CO2

Less Noise

Less Casualties

Less Air Pollution

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Washing roads19EPA

rain

20 Super fast charging points

Automotive & industrial:- small electric vehicles- industrial electric vehicles- electric & hybrid cars- plug-in hybrid cars- automated transportations

Within 15-30 minutes electric scooters and cars can be charged.

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21 Noise barrier plus

Purifies air as well!

NO2

PM

noise

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22EPA

The END