Low Noise Road Surfaces - Factsheet

Road traffic remains the top source of noise pollution in Europe with noise levels projected to rise in both urban and rural areas over the next decade due to urban growth and increased demand for mobility.

To mitigate this effect, the Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) requests that European Union Member States develop action plans for major transport modes and the largest urban areas every five years based on the results of previous noise mapping results. The data submitted by Member States up to January 2020 shows that improving road surfaces is a widely reported mitigation measure for traffic noise within urban areas.