Over the last number of years the city of Oslo has introduced substantive measures to reduce noise pollution, particularly in the field of transportation. The city is committed to noise reduction and has set the goal to reduce the noise impact by 10% by 2020 compared to 1999.
One of the major sources of noise in Oslo is road traffic. Road traffic is an increasing problem for the city, which intensifies during the winter months. About 1.3 million people are exposed to road traffic noise levels exceeding 55 dBA outside their homes in Norway (“Road traffic noise”, 2008).
In order to address this, the city has introduced a number of measures aimed at private vehicles. The city has lower speed limits and introduced a charge for studded tyres (studded tyres can cause greater wear and tear on roads, which increases noise emissions). Road surfaces are renewed regularly by the city, as newer road surfaces produce less noise. The “Project Environmental friendly pavements”, which ran from 2004-2008, conducted research on optimising the environmental properties of road surfaces in order to reduce the environmental impact on surroundings, including noise pollution (“Road traffic noise”, 2008). Trial areas for quiet road strips have also been established. In a further effort to reduce transport noise, the city is building tunnels for road traffic, mitigating noise pollution in the surrounding areas. Figure 1 depicts a noise map of the city for road and rail traffic.
Figure 1: Noise map for road and rail traffic in Oslo, 2006. Source: Oslo Kommune, 2008
As well as improving public transport and encouraging behavioural change, the city is also implementing direct noise reduction measures, such as noise screens along roadways. Subsidies are granted from the city to citizens for the purposes of insulating and soundproofing their property.
Rail and transportation also represents a major source of noise for the city. The city employs a holistic approach to reducing rail traffic noise, focusing on direct measures such as erecting noise screens to limit noise exposure along the tracks, and measures to address the noise at source, such as increased maintenance of tracks and stations to reduce squealing and rolling noises. Authorities identify problem areas and carry out track grinding and lubrication. The city is also replacing older trains with newer, quieter trains. The tracks themselves are being upgraded, as are foundations in order to reduce vibrations.
By the nature of activities conducted within them, ports generate high noise levels. To address this, the Port of Oslo participates in the Noise Management in European Ports (NoMEPorts) project. The main objective of NoMEPorts is the reduction of noise, noise-related annoyance and health problems of people living around port industrial areas through a noise mapping and management system (Port of Oslo, n.d.). The handling of goods containers (and the equipment used in handling) can lead to noise emissions far exceeding EU regulation levels. To address this, the city has provided engine insulation, and has started a process to procure vehicles with more silent engines. Silent-working cranes have replaced traditional forklifts.
Increased care has been placed on the handling of empty containers, which can generate large amounts of noise when moved. Empty containers have also been stacked in walls close to built up areas and used as sound barriers. To reduce excess vibrations, the port terminal area has been completely asphalted. Vegetation zones and noise screens have also been established in the terminal area.
Additional measures carried out by the port authorities are summarised as (Port of Oslo, n.d.):
- Development of a programme simulating noise effects
- Replacement of forklifts and reach-stackers with gantry cranes with rubber tyres
- Substitution of diesel engines with electric power
- Reduction of noise from warning bells
- Insulation of our machinery room
- Installation of rubber bricks on trailer trucks preventing sharp noise
- The terminal ground has been asphalted in order to level the surface.
- Establishment of a noise deflection wall
Although these measures have contributed to noise reduction, port neighbours are still subjected to noise levels above EU limits. The port authorities are committed to improving this situation and are constantly revising and improving their noise reduction measures. One such measure is the increased centralization of port activities, making it easier to contain and reduce noise. Electricity is to be provided for docked ships at Oslo port, in order to prevent emissions and prevent noise pollution from ship engines.
After reviewing the noise-map, the city has identified areas suitable for designation as so-called quiet areas. A quiet area is defined by the city as: “Areas which offer recreation, outdoor experiences and/or cultural activities in surroundings sheltered from or distant from dominant noise sources”. These areas preferably have noise levels below 50dB and are protected through traffic management, noise screening and regulation of industrial activities.
Source: Oslo Kommune (2008, December 5)