Acoustic map of the city | www.torun.pl

Acoustic map of the city was created in order to assess acoustic climate of Toruń. This is not a single map, but rather a collection of descriptive and graphic information on municipal space. It consists of a set of maps illustrating the long-term average “A” sound levels for a day-evening-night time (L_DWN) and night time (L_N). Sound levels were calculated for four types of noise sources: road traffic, railway traffic, tramway traffic and industry.

Moreover, for the purpose of the acoustic map, a noise sensitivity map of municipal areas was created. Its goal is to indicate certain values of permissible noise levels for specific areas in Toruń.

The acoustic map of Toruń is the first step to develop a program for protection against noise, whose aim is to bring the noise level to the required quality standards of environment.

What does result from the acoustic map of Toruń?
The map reveals that residents of Toruń are not exposed to noise nuisance. Road traffic noise is the most noticeable type of noise in our city, however, railway traffic noise, tramway traffic noise or industrial noise are marginal phenomena.

Areas exposed to road traffic noise are mainly areas located in the vicinity of main road traffic arteries:

• national road No. 91 – Grudziądzka St., Przy Kaszowniku St., Odrodzenia St., Czerwona Droga St., Jana Pawła II St., Łódzka St.
• national road No. 15 – Gniewkowska St., Poznańska St., Jana Pawła II Ave., Czerwona Droga St., Odrodzenia St., Przy Kaszowniku St., Traugutta St., Lubicka St., Lubicka Road, Olsztyńska St.
• national road No. 80 – Bydgoska Road, Broniewskiego St., Hoffmana Sq., Kraszewskiego St., Czerwona Droga St., Przy Kaszowniku St., Traugutta St., Lubicka St., Lubicka Road
• regional road No. 553 – Chełmińska Road
• areas exposed to insignificant railway traffic noise are areas adjacent to the railway line No. 18 (Kutno-Piła), and to the railway line No. 27 (Lipno-Toruń Wschodni) within Czerniewice, Rudak, Podgórze, Grębocin nad Strugą, and Bielawy housing estates.

Especially areas located along railway tracks within the Bydgoskie Przedmieście housing estate are exposed to tramway traffic noise. It should be noted that the limit of noise level is only exceeded during night time, mainly in the vicinity of a tram depot, due to departures and arrivals of trams.

Industrial noise is marginally significant mainly in areas located in the vicinity of major industrial plants, especially near the industrial complex located in the north-east part of the city, along M. Skłodowskiej-Curie St., within the Rubinkowo housing estate and the Grębocin nad Strugą housing estate.

Statistical analysis reveal that approximately 14% of residents of Toruń are exposed to road traffic noise exceeding limits set for a noise level in the environment - averaged for day time (24h), but only less than 0.5% of residents are exposed to noise levels over 10 dB. This is a good result. A similar trend is maintained for night time. Railway traffic noise and tramway traffic noise affect less than 1% of residents of the city, while industrial noise affects approx. 0.7% of Toruń residents.

• Road traffic noise - (generally) 28,100 residents are exposed to too high noise levels (14.1%), and 23,600 residents (11.8%) at night 
• Railway traffic noise - (generally) 350 residents are exposed to too high noise levels (0.18%), and 400 residents (0.2%) at night
• Tramway traffic noise - the long-term indicator, including all times of the day, for evening and night is not exceeded; 110 residents (0.06%) are exposed to too high noise levels at night 
• Industrial noise – (generally) 890 residents (0.4%) are exposed to too high noise levels, and 1,300 residents (0.7%) at night

What is the situation in other cities?
Both the smaller Koszalin and the larger Bydgoszcz are louder cities than Toruń. Analyses reveal that among 108,000 residents of Koszalin, 19.7% of them are exposed to too high levels of noise determined by the Lden indicator, and approx. 1.3% to noise levels over 10 dB. A similar trend is maintained for night time. Railway traffic noise affects less than 1% of residents of Koszalin. However, industrial noise affects 0.1% of residents at night and 0% during the day.

Among 384,000 residents of Bydgoszcz, 46% of them are exposed to too high levels of noise determined by the Lden indicator, and approx. 2.8% to noise levels over 10 dB. A similar trend is maintained for night time. Railway noise affects approx. 2% of residents of Bydgoszcz. However, industrial noise affects 0.0% of residents at night and 0.3% during the day.

What is next?
The next step is to develop the Program for protection of the environment against the noise. The acoustic map provides a basis. Works on developing the program began on 30 June 2012. It will set out basic directions and tasks necessary to restore acceptable levels of noise in municipal areas. Implementation of the program for protection of the environment against the noise will decrease noise level in the environment, help to improve acoustic climate of the city of Toruń, and eliminate the threat of impact of too high noise levels on city residents.

>>> Go to the acoustic map of Toruń: mapaakustyczna.um.torun.pl