Analysis of the acoustic impact of road infrastructures in the Province of Cremona
The Action Plan of the Province of Cremona for the mitigation of road infrastructure noise aims to assess measures to reduce population exposure to traffic noise, identified during the Noise Mapping phase, in order to safeguard public health and quality of life. The Plan concerns the main roads under the responsibility of the Province of Cremona, characterised by traffic volumes exceeding 3 million vehicles per year, where the most significant noise-related criticalities are concentrated, also due to their proximity to densely populated residential areas and sensitive receptors.
Overall, the Plan represents an operational tool for environmental noise management at provincial level, contributing to the reduction of overall health and environmental impacts.
The interventions planned in the Province of Cremona include the construction of new roundabouts, the upgrading of existing roundabouts, the construction of the southern bypasses of Soresina and Dovera, and the enhancement of road corridors, with the objective of improving traffic conditions and reducing overall noise emissions.
The assessment of the acoustic climate was carried out through modelling simulations using SoundPLAN software, applying the European CNOSSOS-EU method developed by the European Commission for estimating noise generated by road, railway, airport and industrial infrastructures.
The analyses were conducted based on traffic data provided by provincial offices and on information derived from provincial-scale acoustic zoning maps. Within the study area, the main sensitive receptors were identified, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and socio-healthcare facilities, which are particularly vulnerable to population exposure to traffic noise.
The modelling approach made it possible to assess mitigation measures implemented along road sections with the highest acoustic impact.
The assessment of health effects was performed with reference to the World Health Organization guidelines and the European Environmental Noise Directive. In particular, the analysis considered three main indicators:
- ischaemic heart disease;
- high annoyance;
- severe sleep disturbance.
Based on the results obtained, an Action Plan for the reduction of road traffic noise was developed, aimed at mitigating the acoustic impact of road infrastructures on residents living along the most heavily trafficked provincial arteries.
The Plan provides for the adoption of specific noise mitigation measures and a subsequent verification phase through noise monitoring campaigns. For the most significant interventions, sound levels will be measured before and after implementation in order to assess the actual noise reduction achieved.
The expected benefits were estimated in terms of a decrease in the number of people exposed to sound levels exceeding regulatory limits and an overall improvement in the acoustic climate in the affected areas. In particular, a reduction of 3 people affected by ischaemic heart disease is expected, together with a decrease of 718 individuals experiencing high annoyance and a reduction of 30 people affected by severe sleep disturbance.
As required by legislation, the Plan was adopted and subsequently published on the official website of the Province, allowing citizens to submit observations and contributions within 45 days, thereby promoting transparency and public participation. Following this period, as no observations were received, the Plan was definitively approved.
THE ROLE OF TERRARIA
The company supported the Provincial Administration of Cremona throughout the entire acoustic assessment process. Through an integrated approach based on methodologies recognised at European level, the company contributed to the development of the Action Plan and to the modelling evaluation of mitigation measures aimed at reducing the acoustic impact of road infrastructures and limiting population exposure to traffic noise, providing technical and scientific support focused on health protection.
