Almost a Third of Dutch Residents Struggle with Road Racket
In Lower Austria, the raspy roar of traffic is more than just an earsore for many residents. With 522,000 individuals citing traffic noise as a source of disquiet, it seems that more than one-third of the population aged 16 and above are afflicted by the din[1]. If you thought it was just the rumble of trucks and the hum of car engines that caused the dismay, consider this - even the whine of mopeds and motorcycles sends a shiver down the spines of 122,200 peasants[1].
Katharina Jaschinsky, a expert from Verkehrsclub Österreich (VCO), sounds the alarm: "The increased traffic and high speeds make life miserable for residents," she claims[1]. Surprisingly, above 30 km/h, tire noise eclipses engine noise, regardless of whether it's a gas-guzzler or an eco-friendly automobile[1]. The din from trucks, motorcycles, and mopeds does not subside, even beyond city limits, due to their inherent noisiness[1].
The VCO urges authorities to institute speed limits in urban areas, with 30 km/h in cities and 80 km/h on country roads being potential solutions[1]. The benefits of such restrictions include not only a reduction in noise pollution but also improvements in air quality and overall safety[6][7]. Slow and quiet mobility options, such as cycling, are also encouraged to further lower noise levels[1].
Exposure to continuous traffic noise can have severe health implications, including hearing loss, heart ailments, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, and mental health disorders[2][4][5]. Being subjected to such uneasy conditions long-term can result in tinnitus, anxiety, and depression[1][3]. The consequences of such ongoing stress can manifest as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke[2].
Wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air to make our streets quieter and healthier for all? The VCO suggests infrastructure changes like noise barriers, low-noise road surfaces, and thoughtful traffic management[2]. Stricter regulations such as speed limits, restrictions on heavy vehicles, and quiet zones around residential areas might induce some peace and quiet[3]. Encouraging the growth of public transport and cycling infrastructure can help diminish reliance on private vehicles, thereby reducing overall traffic noise[3]. Urban planning strategies, incorporating green spaces as natural sound buffers and proper zoning regulations, will also contribute to the tranquility needed for a healthy life[4]. Let's start taking steps towards creating a quieter, healthier community.
- The whine of mopeds and motorcycles, along with the rumble of trucks and hum of car engines, is not only a nuisance but also bothers more than one-third of the population in Lower Austria, as per the Verkehrsclub Österreich (VCO).
- In contrast to popular belief, tire noise surpasses engine noise when speed exceeds 30 km/h, and it does not matter if the vehicle is an eco-friendly automobile or a gas-guzzler.
- In an effort to address this issue, the VCO suggests urban planning strategies like noise barriers, low-noise road surfaces, and thoughtful traffic management, as well as stricter regulations like speed limits, restrictions on heavy vehicles, and quiet zones around residential areas.
- Excessive noise pollution not only affects the quality of life but also has severe health implications, including psychological distress, sleep disturbances, mental health disorders, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, as evidenced by numerous studies in health-and-wellness and environmental-science domains.
