Environmental noise monitoring program in urban & semi urban motorway & railway networks in Greece. A comprehensive analysis for the last 10 years of operation

Abstract

Environmental Transportation Noise Monitoring Programs in urban & semi urban motorways & railway networks in Greece, is an obligation enforced by the current EU & Greek environmental legislation for the last 10 years. The environmental terms for the operation of the highway network, describe any obligation that has to be fulfilled. In this paper, some significant cases of environmental noise monitoring programs are presented regrouping the new Athens Ring Urban Motorway, named "Attica Tollway" some completed road sections of the New Highway "Athens - Thessaloniki" and "Athens-Patras" as well as urban open sections of metro, tram & urban railway network. According to the European Directive 2002/49/EU-already a part of the national legislation-with regard to the management and evaluation of environmental noise, two new indicators: L<jen and L njght were monitored & analyzed examined. Equivalent continuous level LAeq, (T) were recorded for successive one hour periods (during day, evening and night periods) for the control of road transportation noise. The previous legislation in force (MD 17252/1992, Off.Gaz.395/B/19-06-1992), concerning the determination of noise indicators and maximum allowed limits of environmental noise, was recently updated (JMD 210474, Off Gaz.204/B/9-2-2012), to meet the new noise indicators establishing noise limits, and aiming at the adoption of the adequate anti noise mitigation measures which in case of noise barriers has lead to the implementation of more than 120.000 sqm nationwide.