Measurements and calculations of noise in the streets of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Paris

Results of noise measurements in the streets of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Paris are presented. Noise levels and GPS coordinates have been recorded during several trips by bicycle and by foot. For comparison, noise levels have also been calculated from average traffic intensities. Both the measurement and the calculations show a large contrast between high noise levels along major roads and lower noise levels in the areas between the major roads. In other words, the spatial distribution of noise in the cities shows large areas of relatively low noise level, separated by narrow bands of high noise level along the major roads. The results are interpreted in the light of sustainable urban planning. To create healthy living environments, cities make plans for the next decades that put restrictions on the growth of motorized road traffic. It is argued that cities should not only restrict motorized traffic on major roads but should also prevent a gradual increase of traffic on minor roads in quiet urban areas. The protection of quiet urban areas is supported by the European Environmental Noise Directive, but this should focus not only on parks and courtyards, but also on quiet built-up urban areas