Traffic Noise Reduction And Sustainable Transportation: A Case Survey In The Cities Of Athens And Thessaloniki, Greece

The paper examines the relationship between sustainable transportation and the reduction of perceived traffic noise levels in the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki. The research was based on a questionnaire survey conducted on a random sample of 490 participants through personal interviews in the year 2016 (271 in Athens and 219 in Thessaloniki). The questionnaire was formed of 18 questions divided into two parts. In the first part (questions 1 divided by 6), the participants stated their demographic data and personal income comparing the years 2008 (before the economic crisis in Greece) and the year 2016 (crisis in progress). In the second part (questions 7 divided by 18), the participants stated the change of traffic noise levels comparing the years 2008 and 2016, the influence of traffic noise in route and transport mode choice and their willingness to increase walking and bicycling due to reduction of traffic noise. Furthermore, they stated the perceived level of traffic noise in the street they resident during day and night time, their awareness of traffic noise negative impacts on public health and their willingness to change their residential area for a quieter but more expensive one. Moreover, they stated their awareness of the sustainable transport modes positive impacts in traffic noise reduction and their willingness to pay an additional tax in order to fund relative sustainable transportation and traffic noise reduction projects in their cities. The present economic crisis in Greece can be an opportunity to change the commuters travel behavior and promote sustainable transportation.