Suggestions for the draft action plan can be submitted until December 22.

Excessive vehicle noise in Estonia’s capital is estimated to cause 140 strokes and 130 cases of ischemic heart disease annually. Additionally, over €125 million is spent each year in Tallinn on treating noise-related illnesses. Around 40%—approximately 160,000 residents—live in areas affected by unhealthy traffic noise levels.

Excessive traffic noise also hampers business development, preventing new buildings from being constructed in central Tallinn. Public authorities cannot issue building permits in areas where environmental noise exceeds health standards.

Both the current and upcoming noise reduction action plans highlight increasing motorization as the primary cause of noise. The main issue in Tallinn is the high traffic volume on major roads, where noise levels reach up to 75 decibels, according to the city’s noise map. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a noise level of 53 decibels or less. For comparison, the noise of a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer is around 60–65 decibels.

“Excessive traffic noise in Tallinn hinders business and significantly harms health,” said Deputy Mayor Pärtel-Peeter Pere. “Due to traffic noise, building permits have been denied in the city center, young children cannot nap outdoors near their homes, and residents are disturbed by the sound of accelerating motorcycles and cars. Fortunately, research and the experiences of Nordic cities provide clear solutions, and we are moving in that direction here in Tallinn,” Pere added.

The action plan emphasizes sustainable mobility solutions, including improved infrastructure for public transport, cycling, and walking. It also recommends reducing vehicle speed limits to 30–40 km/h. Research from Estonian and Swedish universities shows that tire noise surpasses engine noise at speeds over 30 km/h. Protecting and creating quiet areas such as residential neighborhoods and green spaces, as well as improving sound insulation in noise-sensitive buildings, are also prioritized.

The new noise reduction action plan is set to be completed in 2025, with updated noise measurements and models available in 2026. To reduce noise, the city will expand public transport, build sidewalks and dedicated cycling networks, and adopt the 15-minute city concept to ensure essential services are accessible close to home, reducing reliance on long car commutes.

“Because of the uneven structure of urban space, noise spreads differently, and mitigation measures have varying effectiveness in different areas,” said Meelis Uustal, head of the Environmental Protection Department at Tallinn’s Urban Environment and Public Works Department. “The new action plan provides a general framework, but tailored solutions are needed for each noise-affected area, with their effectiveness determined through modeling or studies.”

The noise reduction action plan is available for public comment from December 9–22, 2024, at https://www.tallinn.ee/et/keskkond/myra.

A public discussion and presentation of the plan will take place on December 16 at 5:30 PM via Teams. All interested parties are invited to participate and contribute ideas for creating a better living environment.

Background information:
After air pollution, noise is considered the second most significant environmental health risk in the European Union. According to Statistics Estonia’s 2024 Social Survey, noise intrusion indoors is the most bothersome issue for Estonian residents. The Estonian Health Board reports that one in five residents—around 300,000 people—are affected by environmental noise, with over 20% impacted by nighttime traffic noise.