The Vehicle Noise directive ( 70/157/EEC ) is currently in revision. This directive comprises Emission Limit Values (ELV’s) that should be respected before bringing new vehicles on the European market. By the European Commission a proposal has been published to strengthen these ELV in two stages. The European Commission proposed to reduce the noise produced by cars, vans, buses, coaches, light and heavy trucks. Noise limit values would be lowered in two steps of each 2 dB for passenger cars, vans, buses and coaches. For trucks the reduction would be 1 dB in the first step and 2 dB in the second step. The first step is to apply two years after the publication of the text once approved by the EP and Member States and the second step is foreseen three years thereafter. Altogether, these measures will reduce vehicle noise nuisance by some 25%, referring to the current situation. In addition, the Commission intends to introduce a new and more reliable test method to measure sound emissions. Moreover it is proposed that electric and hybrid electric vehicles can be fitted optionally with sound generating devices which would make these cars safer. Noise emissions limits have not changed since 1996 despite increasing traffic. The proposed strenghtening is scrutinised by the working group noise and she drafted a statement towards European Commission, European parliament, European Council and all advisory boards involved in this recast.
Working Group Noise embraces these steps, after many years of stand still, now steps are being made to lower the noise from sources! That’s the most effective and cost-efficient manner to reduce noise in Member States. Traffic noise however, is the most dominant source and affects many people in EU27 according to the first results of the first round of Noise Mapping.
However, more steps are needed and more reseach on noise reduction of vehicles is needed. Currently, noise reduction around 4-6 dB should be applicable according to the technology available yet. Further reductions can be found after a thouroughly investigation to new concepts of making cars or combining car parts, see the so called CAETS letter that was sent last year to the Director General of the DG Enterprise and Industry. Working Group Noise thinks that besdides a periodical review and strenghtening of the limit values (at leat two more steps are needed), inspection should be done during the mandatory test of older cars (MOT) and by inspection and enforcement of cars that are on the road. A lot of cars, motorised two en three wheleers, etc. are provided with illegal parts and/or are not well maintained and cannot comply anymore with the EU legislation. Working Group Noise is also doubting about the neccessity of additional noise for electric and hybrid cars, as proposed by UNECE. According to the TRL report of 2011, hardly more accidents occurs between e-cars and pedestricans or bikers.
By a number of experts a letter is drafted and sent to the European Commision recently regarding this recast asking for more attention for vehicle nosie and the detrimental effects of long lasting vehidle noise (health effects, sometimes irreversible). Working Group Noise calls upon everybody to support this letter by sending a letter of support to the European Parliament and her rapporteur Mr. Ouzky. On the 11th of April a hearing will be held in the European Parliament regarding this directive. EUROCITIES’ noise working group will attend this hearing, present her position and plea for more progress in the future. For more information or obtaining the letter from the experts or the statement of EUROCITIES, please contact the chair of Working Group Noise, Mr Henk Wolfert (henk.wolfert@dcmr.nl)