Traffic noise has become a significant issue in Switzerland. Approximately 17% of the population is affected by high road traffic, rail or air transport noise, which has a negative influence on the quality of life in the Swiss residental zones. Road traffic is clearly the largest noise source.
According to the Federal Office for the Environment (Bundesamt für Umwelt) the acceptable noise level in housing areas during the daytime is 55 dB and during the night 45 dB.
The map below shows the shares (%) of housing areas which are affected by high (>55 dB) road traffic noise in the Swiss municipalities. The analysis is based on data from the Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU).
