Reduction potential of road traffic noise

A Pilot Study

Wolfgang Kropp, Tor Kihlman, Jens Forssén and Lars Ivarsson

Applied Acoustics
Chalmers University of Technology
February, 2007

This report concerns the technical potential to decrease noise emission from road traffic. The work is based on four reports by experts in the field supplying needed knowledge to discuss this question. Special focus is given on the need for coordination between the demands upon and actions by the three main actors; the car industry, the tyre industry and the road owner.

The influence of the European noise policy (i.e. ongoing discussion concerning type approval for vehicles and tyre noise limits) with its positive and/or negative consequences is investigated. For vehicles, tyres and roads the available technical solutions are discussed to reduce their contribution to road traffic noise.

A special obstacle in Finland, Norway and Sweden against major progress toward quieter traffic is the use of studded tyres. Not only does this give us the noisiest roads in Europe, but it also decreases the possibilities to gain full advantage of quieter tyres and to use the quieter road surfaces that have been developed and used in other countries in Europe.

In the example of Norway it is demonstrated how studded tyres can be replaced and which consequences can be expected from such a replacement. Also for Norway, a study is presented of different scenarios (concerning reduction of emission from vehicles including tyre/road noise) and their influence on an annoyance index during the next 10 to 15 years.

The report concludes that there is a technical potential to reduce the emissions substantially and proposes how to accelerate this process in a positive way. This includes political actions as well as research needs.

Reduction Potential of Road Traffic Noise (international edition)

Reduction Potential of Road Traffic Noise  (original report, Nordic edition)

Appendix 1 (1,1 Mb, PDF)

Appendix 2 (3,0 Mb, PDF)

Appendix 3 (569 Kb, PDF)

Appendix 4 (623 Kb, PDF)

Buller från vägtrafik - emissionsfrågan (282Kb, PDF) Föredragning av Tor Kihlman