Turin’s Acoustic Zoning Plan Targets Traffic Noise in Historic and Industrial Zones
The acoustic zoning plan, recently approved by the urban planning commission, is scheduled for approval by the city council in a couple of weeks. This plan involves a specialized Turin-based company that examined, street by street, the entire municipal territory; analyzed existing and projected traffic flows; identified the locations of industries, artisanal workshops, bars, and open-air bands; and ultimately divided the city into homogeneous zones, each with a defined maximum tolerable noise level.
The plan presented by the assessor Mosaner (Marino was also involved but was prevented from participating at the last moment) represents the result of extensive work. The study’s inception dates back to 1993, when the general master plan, currently under review for approval (possibly in these months), was initially drafted.
Thirty-seven points were identified where noise measurements were taken on different days and times. The same points were re-measured in April 2000. The conclusions highlight that: 1) traffic is the main contributor to the area’s noise pollution; 2) noise pollution has increased everywhere over the past seven years; 3) industrial developments do not pose significant issues.
Impact in the historic center and industrial zones
In the historic center, noise levels measured at the port and Rocca are only above the threshold during nighttime hours. At San Nicolò, noise values never drop below 65 decibels due to the overlap of traffic and the whistle of the wastewater treatment plant: this is a high-pollution area.
Along the 19th-century boulevards, traffic is the sole cause of noise pollution: on viale Pilati, peaks of 1,584 light vehicles and 576 motorcycles were recorded in one hour. Daytime levels consistently hover around 60 decibels.
The Garda paper mill plans to strengthen the noise barrier towards the west: contacts have already been initiated with the municipal administration.
The intersection at largo Inviolata, where traffic flows from Ledense and the 45 bis road converge (except during landslide interruptions), is the most troubled point in the city.
It never drops below 60 decibels even at night, with peaks reaching 76. At the Riva-Arco area, near the pedestrian underpass at the Varone stream, noise levels reach 72 decibels during the day and 64 at night, with traffic peaks of 900 vehicles per hour and 252 motorcycles.
Among points with the highest noise levels is also viale Madruzzo, near Bar Roma, averaging around 70 decibels; slightly lower is the intersection at Degasperi neighborhood.
The fact that high noise values were recorded near the traffic light at the provincial road 118 intersection, a quasi-rural area, indicates the influence of traffic planning decisions on overall livability.
Another point with very high noise is the intersection between the road to Varone and Ledense: noise levels consistently exceed 65 decibels, with peaks of 74 (the passage of an ambulance temporarily raised the level to 68 decibels).
Once approved, the plan will serve as the instrument through which the municipality can enforce reductions in noise thresholds.
Measurements must be repeated at fixed intervals to monitor the effects of the measures implemented. For example, the roundabout at Inviolata: increased traffic flow means less damage.