A European Directive on the assessment and management of environmental noise has been transposed into the French Environmental Code. Thus, all major urban agglomerations must create a noise map of their territory and a noise prevention plan in the environment.
The noise maps will provide a preliminary indication of the sound environment of the municipalities in the agglomeration. They will also assess the exposure of populations and noise-sensitive establishments (health and education) to noise. This will lead to prioritizing actions to reduce noise pollution and preserve quiet areas.
These maps represent continuous and predictable noises. They depict the average ambient noise. They reproduce the maximum dose of noise to which residents could be exposed.
The noise levels are calculated using a new European indicator reflecting noise annoyance: the Lden (24-hour indicator: day + evening + night).
A Noise Prevention Plan in the Environment (PPBE)
The objective of the PPBE is to anticipate and, if necessary, reduce the effects of noise. It also aims to protect quiet areas. The plan lists measures taken over the past 10 years and those proposed for the next 5 years. These proposals will be based on the diagnosis of the noise maps.
The draft version of the plan is available on the Nice Côte d’Azur auditorium website. The final document will incorporate comments submitted by the public from November 16, 2009, to January 16, 2010. It will then be submitted for approval by the Community Council before being sent to the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes.
This plan is consistent with the creation of noise maps across the 24 municipalities of the Nice urban community.
Among Nice Côte d’Azur’s actions for 2010 – 2015 are, for example: the establishment of park-and-ride facilities, preferential parking rates, the development of public transport, creation of 30 km/h and 20 km/h zones, noise barriers on the Mathis Way, educational actions for children, various studies on noise reduction, and monitoring aircraft noise…
Among important actions taken between 2000 and 2010, for example, are the nighttime closure of the Mathis Way, creation of semi-pedestrian routes, acquisition of gas buses and less noisy cleaning materials, soundproofing of municipal buildings such as daycare centers, acoustic studies along roadways…
The Impact of Noise on Health
40% of French people perceive noise as one of their main nuisances and 80% consider it an unbearable nuisance.
Noise is the most cited nuisance by households (54%) in agglomerations of more than 50,000 inhabitants.
Noise has significant health impacts. 75% of sleep disorders are attributed to noise. It can cause psychosomatic disorders (depression, paranoia) and behavior issues (stress, increased irritability, decreased work efficiency). Noise can also promote cardiovascular diseases (increased heart rate and hypertension).
