30km/h Zones: Senator Ute Bonde's Push for City-Wide Noise Mitigation
Advocacy from Transport Senator Proposes Consistent 30 Km/h Speed Limits Across Regions - Recommendation given to commission for proposal on shielding employees from ionizing radiation hazards through a new directive.
Here's the lowdown on Berlin's impending Noise Action Plan, according to Traffic Senator Ute Bonde. The political powerhouse from CDU is gunning to make it official within the Senate compound, a joint venture of CDU and SPD, come June 17th, as per RBB evening news.
In the works, reports indicate, is the implementation of 30km/h speed limits on a whopping 230 kilometers of main roads throughout the city at night. But don't expect more pieced-together measures—Bonde's team has meticulously combed the city's noise pollution hotspots to develop a comprehensive concept that'll eliminate the need for case-by-case assignments.
"The days of ad hoc noise measures are over," beamed Bonde. The new approach sees entire stretches designated as 30km/h zones for health reasons, although she didn't spill the beans on the specific streets.
The city's noise action plans have been on the drawing board for years, aiming to shield Berliners from the din of city life. However, the current plan, scheduled for 2024-2029, is still gathering dust. It was initially slated for adoption last year.
Moving the needle on urban noise
Besides the 30km/h signs, Berlin's brass is plotting a multi-pronged approach. Contenders include whisper-asphalt and soundproof windows, while "noise cameras" could be deployed to nab excessively loud cars and motorcycles. Berlin threw a research pilot at the Gedächtniskirche last summer, with noisy vehicles causing a ruckus on a regular basis.
However, finer details are still to be ironed out before those noise cameras can be pressed into service regularly. This grunt work falls under the banner of a federal council initiative and will likely involve support from other states. Bonde's softly, softly approach means she's seeking political allies in said states.
Technical jargon alert! According to the Federal Environment Agency, extended exposure to noise exceeding 55 decibels during daytime and 50 decibels at night can increase cardiovascular disease risks. Levels hitting those marks can also have nagging health consequences.
The Senator's proposed Community policy includes a city-wide Noise Mitigation plan that not only focuses on implementing 30km/h speed limits, but also advocates for a comprehensive approach incorporating science, such as whisper-asphalt and soundproof windows, to ensure health-and-wellness and reduce the risks associated with prolonged exposure to noise levels exceeding 55 decibels during the day and 50 decibels at night, as suggested by the Federal Environment Agency. In alignment with this, vocational training programs, specifically aimed at reducing noise pollution, could play a significant role in ensuring the long-term success of this policy.
