Road traffic noise zone

In spatial planning, the authorities designate a noise zone around roads and other noise sources, where the noise level exceeds the recommended noise limit. Below is a review of recommended noise limits for road traffic.

The recommended noise limits for road traffic noise are described in Guidelines from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, no. 4/2007 "Noise from Roads" (in Danish).

The recommended noise limits are mainly used in spatial planning when planning for dwelling areas near existing roads. Moreover, they are used for assessment of noise impact in existing dwellings as well. It is recommended to consider the noise impact and secure the lowest possible noise level when planning new roads and road expansions.

Before 2007, the noise limits were expressed as 24-hour L _Aeq , but since 2007 they are expressed in terms of Lden. Here a 5 dB penalty is applied to noise events in the evening period (7pm–10pm) and 10 dB in the night period (10pm–7am).

The noise limits for road traffic noise are:

Recreational areas in the open country (areas for holiday cottages, camping sites, green areas, etc.): 53 dB
Recreational areas near or in cities (parks, allotment gardens, city camping, etc.): 58 dB
Dwelling areas (dwellings, areas for staying out of doors): 58 dB
Public purposes (hospitals, institutions, schools, universities, etc.): 58 dB
Commercial purposes (hotels, offices, etc.): 63 dB