PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Noise pollution is a major environmental health problem in Europe, with an estimated 125 million people affected by high noise levels that cause serious health problems and stress. The EU has introduced the concept of low emission zones (LEZs), but this was mainly devised in the context of improving air quality. Consequently, many ongoing projects and initiatives related to LEZs are primarily concerned with reducing particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, without taking into account problems related to noise pollution. There is no complete and integrated methodology for the management of noise in LEZs.
OBJECTIVES
LIFE MONZA aimed to create and evaluate a new methodology for noise management within a low emission zone (LEZ) in a pilot study area in the Libertà district in the city of Monza, Italy, which will involve measures such as traffic management and infrastructure improvement. The methodology should be easily replicable and contribute to the implementation of the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END), which requires noise management plans to be drawn up. The Directive does not provide a definition of LEZ in relation to noise pollution; therefore, the LIFE MONZA project aimed to provide this definition. The project also aimed to reduce average noise levels, with positive complementary effects on air quality; engage the local community in an active management system of lifestyle choices that will contribute to the reduction of noise and the improvement of health and air quality; and develop a mobile phone app for managing voluntary and sustainable actions and for measuring benefits and concrete changes in people's lifestyle.
RESULTS
The LIFE MONZA project developed and tested a new methodology for noise management within a low emission zone (LEZ), including top-down (i.e. infrastructure) and bottom-up (i.e. behavioural change) measures.
The project demonstration provided tangible benefits in the pilot area of the Libertà district in Monza, in Italy, which has about 8 000 inhabitants and three schools. Specifically, the project team repaved 1 km of Viale Libertà (the main avenue in the pilot area) with low-noise asphalts; installed two pedestrian cross-roads in the same avenue, fostering reduction of car speeds in the arera; and introduced traffic limitation measures for heavy vehicles (e.g. trucks). They established a smart sensor network for easy and frequent noise measurements; established Pedibus routes for pupils of local schools; and developed a mobile phone application for the management of the Pedibus activity.
The project team evaluated the environmental benefits in the pilot LEZ with noise reduction management. There was a reduction of vehicles travelling in the Libertà district (about 20-30% for heavy vehicles and about 5% for total traffic), and related CO2 emissions (approximately 5% on average). Reduction of other types of emissions were also noted, with the analyses mainly focusing on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter, with more clear trends for PM10, which was reduced by up to 7% after the introduction of the heavy vehicle limitations. Recorded noise reductions were of about 3-5 dBA in the most exposed areas, with average Lden (day evening night sound level over 24 hours) reduction of about 2 dBA in the district. The project’s Pedibus initiative showed how the use of green mobility solutions can contribute to noise reductions.
The project contributed to the implementation of the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END), by helping to define a LEZ targeting also noise pollution. The project’s outcomes will inform the criteria for noise management plans set out in Annex V of the Directive.
The technical specifications of the asphalts used in the project are being shared with the Working Group on noise of the Eurocities network. Moreover, the project team produced guidelines (NLEZ Guidelines) describing in detail the developed methodology and the necessary steps for the replication of their approach. The coordinating beneficiary ISPRA, a national research institute, will promote the transposition of the developed NLEZ Guidelines at national and European level involving the competent authorities (Ministry of the Environment and European Commission) and interested stakeholders (ANCI, EUROCITIES, POLIS, CIVITAS, etc.), proposing it as a National Standard to be included within the sector regulatory framework.
The project’s positive socio-economic effects included an increased awareness on green mobility and noise (training activities and awareness-raising activities reached about 1 000 students and the local community was involved in project activities); enhanced capacity building (training for the technicians of Monza Municipality in the use of the smart sensors grid developed by UNIFI); improved life quality (confirmed by the surveys and interviews carried out); and the creation of jobs (e.g. 5.5 Full-Time Equivalent employees were hired during the project implementation).
