Analyzing Road Traffic Noise through long-term Acoustic Signatures and Vehicle Detection across European cities

Abstract

This study presents an approach to long-term road traffic noise analysis across eleven European cities, conducted within the framework of the Net4Cities project. By combining long-term, high�resolution acoustic measurements with traffic data obtained from collocated sensor systems and AI-based video detection, the project establishes an integrated noise and traffic monitoring network. These systems operate continuously over two years, capturing real-time data with fine temporal granularity. The data are centrally integrated and openly accessible, enabling comprehensive investigations into traffic-induced noise patterns and city-specific acoustic signatures. Furthermore, by aligning noise, traffic, and air quality datasets, the study supports the development of proxy indicators and the refinement of existing noise emission models such as CNOSSOS-EU.