Position paper – EU legislation on road traffic noise

Noise abatement

The associations call for:

1. The systematic use of low-noise road surfaces, particularly in noise hotspots;
2. A stronger focus on the potential for noise abatement when planning traffic flows;
3. The use of all types of new technologies to minimise noise propagation in urban environments;
4. A reduction in single-event noise peaks, including a consistent control of illegal modifications of vehicles and/or their components, and of antisocial driving behaviour.

Environmental noise

The paper argues that:

1. Measures that reduce environmental noise should be reflected in environmental noise assessment tools (noise mapping). This includes progress in technology at the source;
2. The accuracy of noise measurement should be recognised as a tool to better enforce regulatory provisions.

Automobile manufacturers and their suppliers take their responsibilities for noise abatement seriously. Support from other stakeholders, particularly policy makers, is also needed to maximise the potential of quiet vehicles in everyday road traffic, and to make progress in this field perceivable to European citizens.

To continue road traffic noise abatement to the benefit of European citizens, automobile manufacturers, suppliers, policy makers and other stakeholders must all work together.