Noise
Noise is one of the biggest and, at the same time, most underestimated harmful sources of pollution affecting people. Many people are exposed to noise levels which they experience as intolerable. More than one in four people experience noise as a significant annoyance. Around nine per cent of highly exposed people say that they are subject to “high” or “intolerable” levels of noise. The main source of noise is perceived to be traffic (road, rail and air traffic). In addition to neighbourhood noise, loud commercial and factory operations are also significant local sources of irritating noise.
A number of laws, ordinances and case-by-case regulations are in force to protect people against exposure to noise. The implementation of EU Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC has introduced the systematic determination of the major sources of noise nuisance through noise mapping. Possible noise abatement measures are elaborated in noise action plans.
Noise maps are drawn up for agglomerations and for major roads which have more than 6 million vehicles passages a year (stage 1 in 2007) or more than 3 million vehicles a year (stage 2 in 2012). Noise maps are also drawn up for major railways which have more than 60,000 train passages a year (stage 1) or more than 30,000 trains a year (stage 2) as well as for major airports which have more than 50,000 movements per year. Local authorities are responsible for noise mapping agglomerations and the Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz (LUBW) [State Agency for Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg] for noise mapping major roads as well as non-federally owned railways and major airports. The Eisenbahn-Bundesamt [Federal Railway Authority] is responsible for mapping state-owned railways. Local authorities are responsible for drawing up noise action plans; Regierungspräsidien [Regional Administration Offices] are responsible for noise action plans for major airports.
Other LinksMinistry of Transport and Infrastructure Baden-Wuerttemberg
State Agency for Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg
Federal Railway Authority
Regional Administration Offices
A number of laws, ordinances and case-by-case regulations are in force to protect people against exposure to noise. The implementation of EU Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC has introduced the systematic determination of the major sources of noise nuisance through noise mapping. Possible noise abatement measures are elaborated in noise action plans.
Noise maps are drawn up for agglomerations and for major roads which have more than 6 million vehicles passages a year (stage 1 in 2007) or more than 3 million vehicles a year (stage 2 in 2012). Noise maps are also drawn up for major railways which have more than 60,000 train passages a year (stage 1) or more than 30,000 trains a year (stage 2) as well as for major airports which have more than 50,000 movements per year. Local authorities are responsible for noise mapping agglomerations and the Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz (LUBW) [State Agency for Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg] for noise mapping major roads as well as non-federally owned railways and major airports. The Eisenbahn-Bundesamt [Federal Railway Authority] is responsible for mapping state-owned railways. Local authorities are responsible for drawing up noise action plans; Regierungspräsidien [Regional Administration Offices] are responsible for noise action plans for major airports.
Other LinksMinistry of Transport and Infrastructure Baden-Wuerttemberg
State Agency for Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg
Federal Railway Authority
Regional Administration Offices
