Mapping Noise from Motorised Transport in the Context of Infrastructure Management

Noise pollution presents significant challenges for urban infrastructure management, highlighting the need for practical assessment tools such as noise maps. These maps enable the visualization and geo-referencing of noise levels, identifying areas requiring immediate intervention and long-term strategic responses. Road sections with traffic exceeding 3 million vehicles per year were selected for measurement. The findings are presented in detail, revealing that the Long-term Day-Night Average Noise Level (Lden) exceeds acceptable limits, affecting approximately 1.899 km2 and impacting around 1200 residents within the exceedance zone. Similarly, the equivalent noise level (LAeq) surpasses acceptable thresholds over an area of 1.220 km2, affecting an additional 700 residents. Notably, there were no exceedances of the key noise impact indicators, including high annoyance (HA), high sleep disturbance (HSD), and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Changes in traffic organisation were implemented to address areas that exceed the applicable noise standards, including a ban on trucks and the introduction of local speed limits. The measures have successfully mitigated the noise problem in Grodzisk County (Poland). Further anti-noise initiatives are planned, including planting vegetation along the roadways.