New briefing highlights transport noise impacts on children

The impact of transport noise on the the reading ability and behaviour of children is the subject of a new research briefing. Compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), it is based on data submitted by EEA member countries under the EU's Environmental Noise Directive. Key messages of the review include:

• Children living or attending school in areas impacted by transport noise tend to score lower on reading comprehension and face more behavioural challenges.
• Over half a million children in Europe experience impaired reading ability due to environmental noise from road, rail and air transport.
• Almost 60,000 cases in Europe of behavioural difficulties in children are due to environmental noise generated from transport.

Those cases of impaired reading ability and behavioural difficulties can be largely prevented through interventions to reduce environmental noise at homes and schools. The report outlines interventions that can reduce exposure to transport noise - including considering noise in planning,  building orientation, landscaping and engineering measures.