Investment in noise reduction : a good option in Portugal?

In Portugal like in the majority of European countries, a significant part of the population is exposed to excessive traffic noise levels which are downgrading their quality of life. Considering the relevance of this topic associated with a constant growth in road traffic volume and congestion, it was recognized the importance of the economical valuation of these severe noise levels. This paper aims to present some results of the ongoing investigation concerning this issue and to contribute to the body of knowledge and methodology in this field. There are several innovative aspects on this research. There have been very few studies simultaneously concerned with monetary valuation of noise externalities, real estate income and infra-structure costs. In this analysis was evaluated the significance of investment in noise mitigation measures (increase in the infra-structure cost due to the constructions of noise alleviation measures on the source and on noise path) regarding the reduction of noise externalities (associated to social, real estate and health related costs) and the minimization of real estate income loss (allied to the inability for construction of available building properties based on excessive noise and the consequent reduction on its patrimonial value). This investigation was conducted over two municipalities representative of the majority of Portuguese cities in accordance with their spatial characteristics as well as territorial development, finances, population, building and road density. It is an important input for the selection, implementation and financing of future Noise Action Plans and Municipal Noise Reduction Plans.