Evaluation of the effect of a speed limit of 30 km/h on noise and air pollutant immissions in Münster
On 1st February 2019, a speed limit of 30 km/h was imposed on several sections of the main road network in the city centre of Münster for reasons of noise control in accordance with the Council Decision of December 2017.
To evaluate the impact of the speed reduction from 50 to 30 km/h, a research campaign was conducted from 1st September 2018 to 30th September 2019. For this purpose, Müller-BBM GmbH realized a before-and-after investigation and compared the measurement results before and after the introduction of the speed limit. In the evaluation, a further engineering office examined the effects on traffic events such as the travel times of passenger cars and buses, the shifting of traffic and the arrival times of rescue vehicles.
Müller-BBM examined the effectiveness of the measure with regard to the intended noise reduction by continuous measurements of the traffic noise in the area of Münzstraße and at the same time carried out an air-hygienic investigation (prognostic and metrological) for the road between Neutor and Mauritztor to evaluate the effect of the 30 km/h speed limit on the air pollution by nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
The evaluation of the speed concept shows that the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit leads to a reduction in road traffic noise, both metrologically and mathematically. In addition, the speed reduction has a positive effect on air pollution by nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
On the basis of the studies carried out, the administration of the city of Münster has decided to extend the 30 km/h speed limit regulation introduced in 2019.
