Sustainable transportation and reduction of road traffic noise in the urban built environment: A case survey in the city of Xanthi, Northern Greece

Abstract

This paper examines the results of a specific study on the relationship between sustainable transport modes such as walking and bicycling and reduction of environmental traffic noise in urban built environment. Furthermore, it examines how urban traffic noise affects sustainable transportation in the city of Xanthi, which is a mid-sized Greek city. In this survey, 204 questionnaires were completed through personal interviews. The participants were categorized according to their sex, age, level of education, profession and personal income. They answered questions regarding commuters' choice of transport mode and route selection according to the perceived level of traffic noise. Furthermore, they evaluated the level of traffic noise in their residence and they stated their willingness to pay in order to move out in a more expensive residence but with less traffic noise. They also stated their opinion about the effects of traffic noise in public health and the contribution of sustainable transport modes to reduce the level traffic noise. Finally, they proposed remedial actions to reduce the level of traffic noise in the city they stated their willingness to pay for those actions and they evaluated the municipality's reliability in order to implement relative projects. This research concluded that environmental road traffic noise influences commuters' selection of route, transport mode and place of residence. Furthermore, citizens are informed about negative effects of traffic noise in public health and are willing to pay higher taxes in order to be reduced through the implementation of relative projects. Promotion of sustainable transportation reduces significantly the level of road traffic noise in urban areas improving the quality of life for citizens in mid-sized cities.