Significant traffic noise pollution is thought to be affecting up to 115.500 residents, mbl.is is reporting. The threshold over which noise is considered problematic is 55 db Lden (Lden is the average sound level over a 24-hour period).
In order to address traffic noise pollution a 3-phase study was undertaken in 2012 and is still underway. The first two phases involved mapping the number of households and inhabitants affected by the noise of roads that cater to 6 million vehicles per year (phase 1) and by 3-6 million vehicles per year (phase 2). The 3rd and final stage of the action plan is for the Environment Agency of Iceland to prepare an action plan for dealing with noise pollution for submission to the EFTA.