Mäenpää Elina
Environmental Director
Vitality
The Riihimaki.fi website uses Google Translate.
The largest increases in traffic volumes are regionally directed at Kantatie 54 and Valtatie 3. The biggest noise source in terms of road traffic is Helsinginväylä (Vt3), but there are no large residential areas in the area affected by the motorway. As for Lahdentie, noise levels will increase as traffic volumes increase, especially in the Lemmenmäki and Kirjaus area. In the urban area, the increase in noise levels and the number of people exposed to noise increases e.g. In the area of influence of Pohjoise rajkatu, Kokonkatu and Vanhan Kormuntie. As for the rest of the road and street network, residential properties exposed to noise are distributed relatively evenly in the built-up area of the city. In the current situation, 55 people are exposed to 1977 dB of road traffic noise during the day, and in the situation in 2035, 2270 people. The number of people living in areas exceeding the nighttime guideline value of 50 dB is clearly smaller.
Regarding road traffic, the number of people exposed to noise is increasing. When evaluating the noise situation, it can be stated that the number of people exposed to noise has increased more than was estimated in 2008. Reasons for the increase in the number of people exposed to noise are e.g. changes in land use, more detailed traffic forecasts, and advanced calculation methods.
The Helsinki-Riihimäki and Riihimäki-Lahti railway sections are quite widely populated. In terms of rail traffic, the night is more significant in terms of noise. In the areas where the noise of train traffic at night exceeds the guideline value, about 740 people live in the current situation and about 2035 people in the forecast situation of 800.
Regarding rail transport, the number of exposed people remains largely the same, with a very moderate increase. Compared to the 2008 report, the forecast volumes for freight traffic and urban traffic have decreased. However, the smoothness of rail traffic has improved and the speeds at the station are higher for passing trains.
Most of Riihimäki's noise barriers are noise barriers. The ramparts are mainly built to combat rail traffic noise, with a total length of about 2 km. Based on noise calculations, noise levels on the ramparts have been substantially reduced. In addition, there are currently two noise fences in the Riihimäki area on VI Oksasenkatu and Karankatu. In the forecast situation, in addition to the current noise barriers, noise fence plans on Kirjaustie and Virtakatu were taken into account.
In the 2008 noise survey, a noise control plan is described, which examines three road traffic and four rail traffic noise control targets in more detail. In one object, the noise effect caused by both road and rail traffic was taken into account.
In the 2008 noise survey, quiet areas in the Riihimäki city area were examined. Large parts of the Riihimäki area can be classified as quiet. Quiet areas can be found especially in the western and northern parts of the city, as well as in part of the area between Helsinginväylä and the main railway. Based on noise calculations and resident surveys, it seems that experiences of silence are usually obtained in areas that are easily accessible (nearby) or that have other recreational value, for example through a body of water or good outdoor opportunities. In a growing city, attention should be paid to the adequacy of nearby recreation areas and their pleasant soundscape.
The Riihimäki noise survey was completed in 2019. The purpose of the work was to update the noise survey prepared in 2008. The work revealed the noise situation in Riihimäki and the number of residents living in noise areas.
In the calculated study, the noise situation in Riihimäki was mapped in terms of road and rail traffic noise. The situation with regard to other noise sources was generally assessed on the basis of existing information.
The mapping of the noise situation was made from both the current situation and the predicted situation in 2035. In the mapping of the noise situation, both daytime and nighttime noise levels were investigated. A more detailed noise prevention plan was drawn up and quiet areas were mapped in 2008.
Environmental Director
Vitality