Problematyka hałasu w bezpieczeństwie ruchu drogowego

The article makes a reference to the issue of road traffic noise as one of the factors negatively affecting both the natural environment and the road traffic participants. Noise is the least recognized phenomenon among the groups of dangers posed by the development of civilization including the transport operation. In order to highlight this issue the article gives the definition of noise and admissible noise levels of motor vehicles, as defined by the Polish and EU legislation. The human environment is described, within the meaning of the acoustic and road context, and selective examples of the measurements of its level for the Warsaw agglomeration. The causes of road traffic noise hazards have been characterized as well as directions of activities of a preventive nature, in this field, as defined by the Community institutions. The problem of costs arising from the road traffic noise has been outlined as well as selective estimate has been conducted of their magnitude in relation to the acoustic screens.