The classification of sources of noise and vibration distinguishes between single sources (mass transit, transportation and production vehicles within and outside facilities) and sources grouped within a given space (roads, airports, train stations, bus depots, marshalling stations, industrial, entertainment and sport facilities, etc.). Traffic noise has a dominating effect on the acoustic climate of the natural environment. Apart from properties of noise sources, the acoustic climate of the environment is affected to a large extent by the location of transportation facilities such as airports and industrial facilities together with the routes leading to them.

The level of noise from road and railway vehicles measures from 75 to 95 decibels. For the particular vehicles: motorcycles 79–87 dB, lorries 83–93 dB, buses and tractors 85–92 dB, passenger cars 75–84 dB, road maintenance and construction vehicles 75–85 dB, waste disposal lorries 77–95 dB. The above values violate by several decibels the requirements specified for domestic producers by Polish safety norms. The allowable noise levels for the environment, set by other laws to a maximum level of 45 to 60 dB, are surpassed by as much as 12 to 37 dB.

An important role in the shaping of the acoustic climate of the environment is played by the road network. The average road density for the whole country is about 50 km per 100 km². The largest density is in the southern voivodships – 70 km per 100 km², while the smallest – 40 km per 100 km² – occurs in the northeastern part of Poland.

It is estimated that road traffic intensity has increased three-fold during the last five years. Noise caused by road traffic (equivalent level) larger than 60 dB is found on over 60% of the length of the national roads and on as much as 92% of inter-regional roads. The fact that 25% of the national roads network carries 60% of the traffic shows that the capacity of roads is exhausted and as a consequence the noise on them rises to a maximum level. It is estimated that the average daily noise level on national road network measures 70 dB, on the railway network – 69 dB, in the areas adjoining the airports 80–100 dB and in surrounding areas of industrial plants – from 50 to 90 dB.

Airports are a surface source where many single sources of noise idling airplanes starting and landing one airplanes all act in concert. The noisiness of aircraft as well as the intensity and organization of air traffic on an airport itself in waiting and ascending zones, determines how large a burden the airport is on the surroundings. Airplanes on waiting and ascending routes emit noise measureing 80 to 110 dB. The loudness of airplanes depend on the kind of technology used in building them and on the maximum starting weight. New generations of airplanes are, as a rule, less noisy than old ones. This is not the case though with military airplanes. The area exposed to noise at the level of 80 dB measures 150 km2 for older types of airplanes and for new, second generation airplanes only about 35–45 km². The noise emitted by airplanes starting and landing and those moving around the airport affects not only the airport, but it makes surrounding terrain up to a dozen miles from the border of the Airports are a surface sourc where many singl sources of noise idling airplanes starting and landing one airplanes all act in concert. The noisiness of aircraft as well as the intensity and organization of air traffic on an airport itself in waiting and ascending zones, determines how large a burden the airport is on the surroundings. Airplanes on waiting and ascending routes emit noise measuring 80 to 110 dB. The loudness of airplanes depend on the kind of technology used in building them and on the maximum starting weight. New generations of airplanes are, as a rule, less noisy than old ones. This is not the case though with military airplanes. The area exposed to noise at the level of 80 dB measures 150 km² for older types of airplanes and for new, second generation airplanes only about 35–45 km². The noise emitted by airplanes starting and landing and those moving around the airport, affects not only the airport, but it makes surrounding terrain up to a dozen miles from the border of the airport unsuitable for habitation (depending on the layout of the runways). Cargo airports are a particular burden for inhabitants because the flights often take place at night.

(MAPS – illustrating structure of noise exceeding the norms)

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