Recent Development in Europe Aiming at the Reduction of Exterior Vehicle Noise by Producing Quieter Vehicles, Tires and Pavements

This paper summarizes a presentation that attempts to describe what has recently been done and is planned to be done to relieve the problem of traffic noise, with focus on tire/road noise emission. The paper shows that there is at the moment in Europe, Japan and in countries accepting ECE Regulations a quite intensive development aiming at reduction of road traffic noise, but with initial high ambition often ruined when it comes to the political process. The author thinks that it is likely that many Asian countries under fast development will adopt similar policies as Europe and Japan, although actual implementation may be slower than formal policies would suggest. This positive development applies to exterior noise from light vehicle power units, from car tires and from pavement properties. The exception is trucks and buses and their tires, which are left without significant improvement in the foreseeable future and thus may have an effect on the future perception of truck traffic. In addition, the unique opportunity to reduce traffic noise in urban settings by the gradual introduction of electric and hybrid/electric vehicles may be ruined by addition of extra sound to such vehicles in order to make them easier heard.