Speed limit measure to curb noise pollution pushes ahead
Western Switzerland is moving ahead with a measure to slow down drivers in an attempt to reduce noise pollution. This is expected to affect 33,000 residents and considered a pioneering move on such a large stretch of roads in Switzerland.
On Friday, authorities in the French-speaking city of Lausanne announced that, barring any final opposition, it would be pushing ahead with a plan to set the speed limit to 30 km/h (down from 50km/h) at night (10 pm to 6 am) on major road networks starting in early 2020.
This comes after a 2-year pilot test of the measure revealed that the speed reduction could drop average noise levels by 2 to 3 decibels and would only impact 10% of vehicles traveling on the major roads affected. There was also an 80% reduction of peak noise when the 30 km/h was in place.
“The 30 km/h at night is an appropriate measure that is at the crossroads of current concerns. It impacts health, safety and the environment. In a canton that continues to grow, this measure makes it possible to reconcile quality of life, mobility and the creation of new housing,” noted Nuria Gorrite, head of the cantonal department of infrastructure.
In addition to the speed limit measure, the city is also proposing additional sound-absorbing buffers, informational radars and a major communication campaign, which it estimates will cost CHF4.5 million.
In seemingly quiet and peaceful Switzerland, one in seven people in Switzerland is exposed to excessive noise pollution, particularly from road traffic, according the Federal Office for the Environment. The number has gone down in the last few years thanks in part to noise reduction measures.
However, the topic has been the subject of much debate in various communities in Switzerland. Exposure to excessive noise has been shown to lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, coronary issues and depression.
Last summer, federal aviation authorities limited the number of time slots for planes at Switzerland’s main airport in Zurich to reduce noise pollution for residents.
More
More
One million Swiss exposed to harmful noise pollution
This content was published on
Some 1.1 million residents are exposed to traffic noise that exceeds legal limits, the office communicated on Monday. And when road noise levels die down at night, people face the disturbance of plane and train traffic, says the latest edition of a noise pollution study conducted every five years. Railway noise affects 16,000 people during…
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Traffic noise increases risks of heart illnesses and diabetes
This content was published on
Traffic noise can have negative health consequences, such as increased risk of heart-related illnesses and diabetes, a study has found.
This content was published on
Two out of three Swiss say noise has a negative effect on their lives, and experts claim its impact – particularly on people’s health – is totally underestimated. Road traffic is the main offender in Switzerland but more and more people are being affected by noise pollution from aircraft. Since October 30 more than 200,000…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.