Traffic management actions in the framework of strategic noise mapping towards a sustainable environment - The case of attica tollway

Abstract

Construction and operation of an urban motorway within a densely populated capital is inherently linked with adverse effects to the acoustic environment. Attica Tollway is a 70-km long tolled motorway in Athens, Greece, that has been using an advanced Environmental Noise Monitoring System for the past 10 years, to ensure that the effects of the road operation to the areas around the motorway are monitored and, if necessary, mitigated. Noise levels are monitored on a continuous basis by 8 permanent noise-measuring stations, while mobile measuring stations are also available, carrying out measurements in more than 150 locations on an annual basis. From the start of operation to this date, more than 19km of noise barriers have been installed, along with buffer zones and specially planted areas. This study presents various actions taken by operations authority of the motorway to ensure that the generated noise levels are kept to a minimum. These measures include Active Traffic Management, Incident Management, Eco driving etc. All these actions have a significant impact in environmental indicators and are provided apart from the direct mitigation methods proposed by the strategic plans and noise mapping studies.