40-45 dB-Criteria for a good sound environment in urban areas

Paper in proceeding, 2010

Current guideline values for environmental noise outside urban dwellings are technical/economical compromises that seldom imply a good acoustical environment. A good sound environment must be one where noise does not interfere with rest and sleep, which implies no or low speech interference without raising voice level, where observed annoyance is close to zero and which is perceived as pleasant and restorative. Previous research and our own studies all indicate that these conditions to be fulfilled outdoors would require LAeq<40-45 dB from noise sources which should be the political goal for a sustainable development. This goal demands much effort both in emission reductions and city planning.