Road Noise Can Be Reduced

The Paris – Lyon motorway is the noisiest of the French capital, inhabited by more than 100 000 inhabitants over a distance of 35 km Measurements revealed that noise levels routinely exceed the permissible exposure limits, day and night. 61,000 people suffer the noise without respite.

HEALTH HAZARD FROM 85 DECIBELS
Between 25 and 29 June, the pavement of the expressway has been replaced by a new acoustic cover. The process is expected to make a reduction of about 7 to 8 decibels (dB), the equivalent of a traffic reduction by a factor of 8.
Before starting work, indicators reported noise values ​​between 76 and 83 dB (A). This is significant because experts estimate that thre is a health hazard from 85 dB (A).

But a change of coating will not be enough. To truly reduce the noise, experts recommend reducing traffic speed, especially at night.

Another action, called "down a tone," is conducted on the terraces in Paris, which since the smoking ban in public places, have become the venue of revelers, causing conflict and exasperation of local residents. Five monitoring stations were installed on  terraces in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, to assess the volume.
Starting in September, warning systems will be tested. When a threshold, defined in consultation with local residents and the municipality, has been reached, owners will receive an SMS alert. Signs posted on the terraces will indicate the noise level in real time. A red light will indicate an excess of voice ...