Traffic Noise and Noise Action Planning in Germany

The Environmental Noise Directive requires the member states of the European Union to determine the noise exposure of the population. In addition, the noise action plans should contain appropriate measures to reduce high noise exposure. The noise maps for Germany show high exposure to traffic noise, especially road traffic noise. Therefore, the focus of the noise action plans is on measures like speed reductions, noise barriers, low-noise road surfaces and traffic management. The Directive also requires wide public participation in the development of action plans. The competent authorities have therefore taken into account the requests of the public, the legal framework for such measures, the financial framework and the technical requirements. Moreover, the competent authorities for the action plans and the authorities for the implementation of the measures are often not the same. Close coordination between all authorities is therefore necessary for successful noise action planning.