Expansion of Night-Time Speed Restrictions on Major Berlin Roadways
Hey there! Here's the lowdown on Berlin's latest moves to cut down on nighttime noise.
SSH! The Berlin Senate's got some new plans up its sleeve – reducing speed limits on an extra 230 kilometers of main roads at night! A ten-day countdown till the Senate meeting at the Red City Hall is on, where Transportation Senator Ute Bonde (58) plans to unveil these changes.
The shakeup is part of Berlin's new Noise Action Plan (2024-29), all about promoting health and wellness. A whopping one out of eight Berliners are affected by nighttime noise on main roads, with 81,000 city dwellers suffering from severe sleep disorders, according to a recent Environmental Senate analysis.
What sets this apart? "There'll be no more patchwork anymore," said the CDU politico in an interview. "We've looked at the main roads as a whole." And: "It won't be designated upon request, but we've created a concept for long stretches."
Are lower-than-average whispers loud enough to wake you? Us too! Yet, noise can indeed rouse you if it hits as low as 30 decibels, and it shouldn't exceed 45 decibels at night. The noisiest spot was spotted on the Roedernallee, averaging a staggering 62 decibels from 10 pm to 6 am. Currently, 164 km of main roads have a speed limit of 30 mph.
Berlin's Boisterous Main Roads (From Worst to First):
- Roedernallee
- Niederneuendorfer Allee
- Prenzlauer Promenade
- Alt-Friedrichsfelde
- Berliner Allee
- Dahlwitzer Landstraße
- Alt-Biesdorf
- Alt-Mahlsdorf
- Oberhofer Platz
- Landsberger Allee
Speed limits aren't the only way to make Berlin a tranquil haven. Senator Bonde is also cracking down on speedsters with devises called 'speed noise flashers,' which were tested in 2023, on the Ku'damm. More details on regulations needed for regular use are still being worked out. Bonde is seeking backing from other federal states to kick off an initiative in the Bundesrat.
Other noise-reducing options include the cost-effective whisper asphalt during new construction or large-scale road surface renovation, and soundproof windows. The current budget allocation is 460,000 euros for quieter roads in Berlin.
See ya! Stay tuned for updates on the silent streets of Berlin. 🚫🤫🛣️🌞️
- The Berlin Senator's new plans extend beyond speed limits, also aiming to revolutionize the health-and-wellness industry by investing in quieter roads.
- In addition to reducing noise pollution on main roads, the Senate is considering implementing 'speed noise flashers' to control speedsters, as initially tested on the Ku'damm.
- Under the Noise Action Plan, finance is not the only sector involved; the science industry is also crucial, with the development of cost-effective whisper asphalt for new construction and large-scale road renovation.
