{"id":8283,"date":"2025-12-19T10:43:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:43:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/?p=8283"},"modified":"2026-02-06T10:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T10:58:15","slug":"slow-down-the-noise-an-educational-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/news\/slow-down-the-noise-an-educational-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Slow Down the Noise \u2013 An Educational Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Autostrada Wielkopolska has launched a new educational campaign entitled \u201cSlow Down the Noise\u201d. Its aim is to raise drivers\u2019 awareness of road traffic noise, its main sources and effective ways to reduce it. Through this initiative, Autostrada Wielkopolska highlights how everyday driving decisions influence quality of life and contribute to environmental noise pollution.<\/h2>\n

The \u201cSlow Down the Noise\u201d campaign is primarily addressed to drivers. Its goal is to explain what generates traffic noise and how it can be limited. According to the report Environmental Noise in Europe 2025, more than 20% of Europeans are exposed to excessive noise levels caused by road, rail and air traffic. Road traffic remains the most widespread source of transport noise both in Europe and in Poland, making its reduction one of today\u2019s key environmental challenges.<\/p>\n

We all want efficient transport, a well developed road network and easy access to high speed roads. Unfortunately, increased traffic often means higher noise emissions. With this campaign, we want to show that noise levels can be effectively reduced \u2013 both through appropriate infrastructure and responsible driving behaviour, says Anna Ciamciak, Spokesperson for Autostrada Wielkopolska.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Slow Down the Noise<\/h4>\n

Each of us can contribute to making travel quieter and more environmentally friendly. Choosing a smooth driving style, respecting speed limits and taking care of vehicle condition all make a real difference. Together, we can reduce road noise and improve the quality of life for nearby residents.
\nThe level of traffic noise is influenced by:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • the number of vehicles and their technical condition,<\/li>\n
  • drivers\u2019 behaviour and driving style,<\/li>\n
  • road type and the quality of road infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Vehicles<\/h4>\n

    The amount of noise generated by a vehicle depends on several key factors:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • the engine (condition of the powertrain and components),<\/li>\n
    • tyres (type and correct tyre pressure),<\/li>\n
    • aerodynamics, i.e. air resistance caused by the vehicle body.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      A vehicle in good technical condition\u2014properly functioning engine, cooling fan, exhaust system and transmission\u2014means quieter driving. Choosing low noise tyres and regularly checking tyre pressure is equally important. Underinflated tyres have a larger contact area with the road surface, which increases noise levels.<\/p>\n

      At higher speeds, aerodynamic noise caused by air resistance becomes increasingly dominant.<\/p>\n

      How you can reduce vehicle noise:
      \n\u2705 Maintain your vehicle properly \u2013 a well serviced engine, exhaust system and transmission mean less noise and greater safety.
      \n\u2705 Choose low noise tyres and check tyre pressure regularly \u2013 a pressure drop of 0.5 bar can increase noise levels by 1\u20133 dB.
      \n\u2705 Avoid unnecessary vehicle load \u2013 heavier vehicles generate more noise and consume more fuel.
      \n\u2705 Consider electric vehicles \u2013 EVs are significantly quieter than combustion engine cars. On the concession section of the A2 motorway, EV chargers are available at all service areas (MOPs), allowing you to plan quieter and more sustainable journeys.<\/h4>\n

      Driving Style<\/h4>\n

      Sudden braking, rapid acceleration and excessive speed significantly increase noise emissions. That is why drivers\u2019 behaviour plays a crucial role in reducing road noise. Smooth, calm driving, anticipating manoeuvres and performing them gradually help lower noise levels while also improving safety for all road users.<\/p>\n

      Good driving habits:<\/h4>\n

      \u2705 Drive smoothly and calmly \u2013 avoid abrupt acceleration and braking, which increase both noise and fuel consumption.
      \n\u2705 Reduce speed by 10 km\/h \u2013 depending on vehicle type and speed, this can lower noise emissions by 1\u20131.3 dB. This difference is noticeable both for nearby residents and for drivers themselves, making journeys quieter and safer.<\/p>\n

      Road Type and Infrastructure<\/h4>\n

      Roads with frequent intersections and traffic lights generate additional noise due to repeated braking and acceleration. Motorways do not have such features; however, higher speed limits can result in higher noise levels.<\/p>\n

      One of the most effective ways to reduce road noise is to introduce lower speed limits.<\/p>\n

      \"OPP<\/p>\n

      In many European countries, speed limits on high traffic routes such as urban ring roads have been reduced to help decrease noise. For example, lowering the speed limit on the Paris ring road from 80 km\/h to 50 km\/h resulted in noise reductions of approximately 2\u20133 dB on monitored sections.<\/p>\n

      On the motorway ring road around Pozna\u0144, between the Pozna\u0144 Zach\u00f3d and Pozna\u0144 Krzesiny interchanges, a speed limit of 120 km\/h has been in place for several years. Section speed control has also been introduced on parts of this stretch, improving traffic flow and encouraging lower speeds. These measures enhance road safety and support effective noise reduction.<\/p>\n

      Road surface condition matters<\/h4>\n

      Uneven surfaces, ruts and damage increase the noise generated by vehicle traffic. On the concession section of the A2 motorway, Autostrada Wielkopolska continuously monitors pavement condition and plans maintenance works in advance based on detailed assessments.
      \nWhen constructing new lanes\u2014such as during the addition of the third lane in 2025\u2014or replacing existing surfaces, Autostrada Wielkopolska uses HiMA highly modified asphalt for the wearing course. This material offers greater durability, resistance to weather conditions and heavy traffic loads, while supporting lower noise emissions.<\/p>\n

      Supporting Electromobility<\/h4>\n

      As part of its commitment to sustainable development, Autostrada Wielkopolska provides EV charging stations at all service areas along the concession section of the A2 motorway between \u015awiecko and Konin. This ensures that drivers of increasingly popular electric vehicles\u2014quieter than traditional combustion cars\u2014can travel with confidence and plan their journeys effectively.<\/p>\n

      \"ladowarki<\/p>\n

      Noise Barriers<\/h4>\n

      Noise levels along the A2 motorway between \u015awiecko and Konin are regularly monitored by Autostrada Wielkopolska, including areas covered by the Natura 2000 programme. Where noise levels may exceed acceptable limits, acoustic barriers are installed, with heights adapted to local conditions.<\/p>\n

      \"ekramy
      \nCurrently, more than 40 km of noise barriers are in place along this section of the A2 motorway. Depending on the technology used, such barriers can reduce noise levels by 10\u201315 dB.<\/p>\n

      Natural Noise Barriers<\/h4>\n

      Greenery also serve as natural acoustic barriers. For this reason, vegetation is planted wherever possible\u2014especially near interchanges, service areas and toll plazas\u2014helping to absorb road noise. Earth embankments, which run alongside long sections of the motorway, also play an important role in reducing noise emissions.<\/p>\n

      \"Ikony<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Autostrada Wielkopolska has launched a new educational campaign entitled \u201cSlow Down the Noise\u201d. Its aim is to raise drivers\u2019 awareness of road traffic noise, its main sources and effective ways to reduce it. Through this initiative, Autostrada Wielkopolska highlights how everyday driving decisions influence quality of life and contribute to environmental noise pollution. The \u201cSlow […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8230,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,28,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environmental-protection","category-news","category-press-relases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8283"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8283\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8284,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8283\/revisions\/8284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autostrada-a2.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}