Impacts of transport noise (mainly traffic noise) on the health of European citizens
Noise pollution is one of the most significant and persistent environmental health risks in Europe today. Despite decades of policy action, the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment shows that noise — especially from transport — continues to affect millions of Europeans, with wide-ranging impacts on health, well-being, and quality of life.
Key Facts
- Over 30% of Europe’s population lives in areas where transport noise levels are harmful to health.
- Road traffic is the main source of environmental noise, both in urban and rural settings.
- Noise pollution is linked to 66,000 premature deaths and at least 50,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease in Europe each year.
- Children are particularly vulnerable: over half a million children in Europe experience impaired reading ability due to transport noise, and almost 60,000 cases of behavioral difficulties in children are attributed to environmental noise.
Trends and Outlook
While there has been a slight decrease in the number of people exposed to high levels of noise from road, rail, and air traffic, progress is slow. The number of people highly annoyed by transport noise declined by just 3% between 2017 and 2022. The EU is not on track to meet its 2030 noise reduction targets.
The outlook remains challenging:
- The large number of people exposed to road traffic noise is expected to keep overall exposure high.
- Urbanisation and increased mobility risk offsetting the benefits of technological improvements and stricter regulations.
- Without additional measures, the number of people affected by harmful noise is likely to remain stable or even increase.
Health and Social Impacts
Noise pollution is not just a nuisance, but a serious public health issue. As highlighted in previous reports and studies, chronic exposure to environmental noise is linked to:
- Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and mental health problems.
- Sleep disturbance, reduced cognitive performance in children, and lower overall well-being.
- Disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those living in deprived urban areas.
Solutions and Good Practices
The EEA highlights several effective strategies:
- Reducing speed limits in cities (e.g., Zurich’s 30km/h zones) can cut average noise by 3–4 dB, improving sleep and reducing annoyance.
- Urban planning that prioritises public transport, cycling, and walking over car use.
- Investment in quieter road surfaces, rail technologies, and aircraft.Public engagement and participatory governance to ensure local needs are addressed.
The Path Forward
Tackling noise pollution requires coordinated action at all levels — EU, national, regional, and local. The EEA calls for:
- Stronger implementation of existing noise regulations.
- Integration of noise reduction into urban and transport planning.
- Continued innovation in quieter technologies.
- Addressing inequalities in exposure and ensuring that the most affected communities benefit from noise reduction measures.
Reducing environmental noise is not just about compliance, but also about creating healthier and more sustainable cities and communities for everyone. Scientists, researchers and acoustic consultants, among others, can contribute to this goal with their expertise and training.