Environmental noise and vibration monitoring and assessment of major road transportation networks: the case of elefsina (athens) – korinthos motorway (2008–2011)

Abstract

Environmental noise and vibration annoyance – especially from road transportation networks – is widely accepted as an end-point of environmental assessment that can be taken as a basis for evaluating the impact and annoyance caused to the exposed population. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive monitoring program for environmental noise and vibration from ELEFSINA (ATHENS) – KORINTHOS (an upgraded three-lane motorway crossing the famous Korinthos canal with a total length of 63 km), as well as the resulting appropriate noise action plan, including adequate mitigation measures for environmental road noise abatement. In the framework of this monitoring program, 40 locations were selected for airborne noise monitoring (various indices as L A eq (08:00–20:00), L A 10(18 h), L den , L night ) and 24 locations for vibration (ground borne noise both in dB(A) and peak vibration velocity – PPV in mm/s) monitoring covering all sensitive uses as per residential buildings, educational uses, churches, etc. A full assessment of all measured results and the noise mapping assessment was also executed. This assessment aimed at the implementation of appropriate noise barriers with synthetic axes, upon which the total aesthetical and acoustic adaptation was based to fulfi ll the need for adequate noise protection criteria and full aesthetic consistency of the fi nal outcome with the builtup surrounding landscape. In conclusion, some 9,000 m 2 of semi-transparent noise barriers are already under construction. Environmental noise and vibration monitoring programs are proven to be a crucial parameter in