Noise action plan

Less noise from road traffic: the city of Rastatt has set itself this goal. The noise action plan, first drawn up in 2017, documents the need for action. It was updated in 2022 with the participation of the public. The noise action plan lists measures required in the short and medium term. Wherever these have already been implemented, noise levels have been significantly reduced.

Road in Rastatt with cars, speed limit 50 and noise protection sign

How did the noise action plan come about?

Noise action planning goes back to EU Directive 2002/49/EC (Environmental Noise Directive), which was transposed into German law in the Federal Immission Control Act (§ 47a-f
BImSchG) and in the Ordinance on Noise Mapping (34th BImSchV) in order to prevent or at least reduce the harmful effects of environmental noise.

What requirements must be met?

Cities and municipalities in Baden-Württemberg can include measures in the noise action plan if the noise pollution exceeds health-critical levels of 65 dB (A) during the day and 55 dB (A) at night. However, the aim can also be to protect quiet areas against an increase in noise.

How often does the plan need to be updated?

An update is always necessary if there are changes to existing noise situations or if new action is required elsewhere, but at the latest after five years.

How are the noise values determined?

Contrary to popular belief, environmental noise is not recorded with a measuring device, but calculated. Among other things, data from traffic counts is used for this. The buildings along the road and the condition of the road surface are also taken into account. The question of whether the road is uphill or downhill also plays a role.

What options are there for reducing noise on roads?

One immediately effective measure is to reduce the maximum permitted speed, for example by setting a 30 km/h speed limit.

Is a speed limit always the method of choice?

The local conditions must be taken into account for such a measure. The maximum speed on a main road, for example, can often not be limited to 30 km/h. For example, because it has supra-regional significance or is deliberately intended to bundle traffic so that other roads are not burdened by a shift in traffic.

Is whisper asphalt an alternative to a speed limit?

Construction measures are generally possible to reduce the impact of traffic noise on residents. In addition to applying porous asphalt, roads can also be narrowed or redesigned to calm traffic. The erection of noise barriers and the installation of soundproof windows in residential buildings are further options. Their facades can also be fitted with noise-reducing materials. And when planning new development areas, it is also possible to ensure that as little noise as possible is generated by structuring and orienting the buildings to be erected in a way that makes sense from a sound engineering perspective.

Measures

Measures already implemented

  • Lützowerstraße between Ludwigstraße and Kehler Straße.
  • Kehler Straße between Lützowerstraße and Ritterstraße.
  • Kapellenstraße between Murgstraße and SchlossGalerie.
  • Bahnhofstraße between SchlossGalerie and Steinmetzstraße (railroad station).
  • Murgtalstraße between Hans-Thoma-Straße and Am Bach (Niederbühl).
  • Carl-Schurz-Straße between Hindenburgbrücke and Zaystraße.
  • Karlstraße between Ludwigstraße and Ludwigring.
  • Kehler Straße between Ritterstraße and Murgstraße.
  • Rauentaler Straße between Werkstraße and extended Hohlohstraße.
  • Riedstraße between Fährstraße and Lammstraße (Plittersdorf).
  • Friedrichstraße between Wilhelmstraße (local administration) and Waldstraße (Ottersdorf).
  • Rastatt L75 between Badener Straße and the main customs office.
  • Wilhelmstraße between the daycare center at the entrance to the village (Kita) and the local administration in Friedrichstraße (Ottersdorf).
  • Plittersdorfer Straße between Rheinauer Brücke and Oberwaldstraße.
  • Richard-Wagner-Ring between Karlsruher Straße and Rheinauer Brücke.
  • Murgtalstraße (L77) between Am Bach and the end of the town (Niederbühl).
  • Wilhelmstraße (L78a) between the local administration in Friedrichstraße and Rheinstraße (Ottersdorf).
  • Rheinstraße (L78a) between Wilhelmstraße and the northern end of the town (Ottersdorf).
  • Fährstraße between Blumenstraße and Seefeldstraße (Plittersdorf).
  • Ottersdorfer Straße (K3769) between Friedrichring (L77) and Augusta-Sibylla-Schule.
  • Badener Straße (Münchfeld/Siedlung) between Kehler Straße (L75) and the intersection of Stadionstraße/Münchfeldstraße.

50 km/h at night:

  • Northwest bypass (L77a) between Amand-Goegg-Straße and Konrad-Adenauer-Brücke.
  • L77a between Plittersdorfer Straße and Amand-Goegg-Straße.

Noise-reducing road surface

L77a between Wilhelm-Busch Straße and Konrad-Adenauer-Brücke. Road rehabilitation with noise-reducing surfacing and rehabilitation of the bridge expansion joints.

Measures planned for the medium term

Road surface renovation with noise-reducing asphalt:

  • Bahnhofstraße between SchlossGalerie and Steinmetzstraße (near the train station).
  • Kapellenstraße between Murgstraße and SchlossGalerie.
  • Kehler Straße between Lützowerstraße and Augustastraße.
  • Dorfstraße from the railroad embankment (Wintersdorf).

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