Rotterdam was the quietest study city from the commuter's point of view. ... the highest, whereas the car with closed windows was the quietest commuting mode.
Noise exposure during commuting in three European cities P. Taimisto1, A. Pennanen1, E. Vouitsis2, Z. Samaras2, M.P. Keuken4 and T. Lanki1 1
Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, FI70210, Finland 2 Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece 3 TNO, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Utrecht, NL-3508 TA, Netherlands
Introduction In the TRANSPHORM study, noise exposures during commuting were measured. Measurements were performed in three European cities during spring 2011. Methods Noise levels were measured with noise dosimeters calibrated weekly. In Rotterdam, Thessaloniki, and Helsinki 2, 3 and 6 commuting routes were chosen, respectively. The local authorities assisted in choosing representative 8 km long routes. Measurement campaigns lasted for 6 days. One measurement day included 4 one-way drives on the same study route with a bike, a bus and a car with first open and then closed windows. Results In Helsinki, the median LAeq levels were 72.9 dB, 71.2 dB, 66.4 dB and 67.8 dB for a bicycle, a bus, a car with closed windows and a car with open co-driver window, respectively. Corresponding results in Thessaloniki were 74.9 dB, 73.2 dB, 70.7 dB and 72.1 dB. In Rotterdam median LAeq level during bicycling was 69.3 dB and during bus journeys 68.9 dB. Conclusions Rotterdam was the quietest study city from the commuter’s point of view. Noise levels during bicycling were the highest, whereas the car with closed windows was the quietest commuting mode.
