Evaluating the impact on noise levels of a ban on private cars in Dublin city centre, Ireland

In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and increase the efficiency of public transport in Dublin’s city centre, a ‘bus gate’ was introduced to one particularly sensitive area in the city centre. The scheme restricts private vehicles from accessing the area during peak traffic hours with the aim of generating significant journey time-savings for public transport users and reduced noise pollution in the city centre. This paper quantifies the effect the ‘bus gate’ has had on noise levels in the area. Noise levels were monitored prior to and after the introduction of the scheme and the extent to which the scheme impacted on the noise levels was thus evaluated. The study also estimates the impact extending the ban would have on noise exposure levels in Dublin city centre.

► The study examines noise reductions associated with a traffic management scheme.
► The predicted reduction of approximately 2 dB(A) concurred with measurements.
► Results highlight a potential limitation of the Lden indicator.
► We conclude that a ban on private cars may form a local noise action plan.