Subjective Noise Annoyance and Road Traffic Noise Exposure in Munich: Results of Questionnaire Data and Noise Mapping

Abstract

ISEE-0699 Background and Objective: In surveys road traffic is the most often mentioned source of noise annoyance. Objective noise exposure determines noise annoyance only partially. The objective of this study was to assess the traffic noise exposure and annoyance of families in Munich and to identify further determinants of noise exposure. Methods: Noise annoyance in the family’s home, variables of socioeconomic position and housing conditions were assessed 2006 and 2007 with a self-administered questionnaire in a survey of parents of children aged 5 to 7 years in Munich, Germany. Data on road traffic noise exposure (LDEN and LNight) at the child’s address were obtained from the noise map of Munich according to the EU Directive on Environmental Noise. Results: Parents of 1305 children (66%) completed the questionnaire. Complete address data of 1063 children were obtained and linked to the noise map data (82% of children with questionnaire). Mean LDEN was 50.2 dB(A) (range 34.8–81.4 dB(A)), mean LNight was 41.2 dB(A) (range 25.7–72.1 dB(A)). 16% of the parents felt moderately to highly annoyed due to road traffic noise during daytime, 7% during nighttime. Parents with a high noise exposure significantly indicated higher annoyance due to noise. Mean LNight levels were 40 dB(A) for no, 47 dB(A) for moderate, and 59 dB(A) for very high noise annoyance. Children in relatively poor and non-German households have a higher noise exposure. Adverse housing conditions like living at a main streets and frequent freight traffic in the residential area are associated with higher noise exposure. Conclusion: The road traffic noise exposure in families in Munich is high both during day and nighttime. Adverse housing conditions and low socioeconomic position are associated with higher noise exposure and annoyance. Noise exposure clearly influences noise annoyance. Thus annoyance can be used as an indicator for actual noise exposure.