The construction of Maasvlakte 2 will have an effect on noise levels in the immediate vicinity. The three main sources of noise are:

• industrial activity 
• rail transport 
• road traffic (on the A4, A15 and A20) 

Industrial noise
Industries are progressively operating more quietly and more cleanly. In addition, an upper limit is set for sound pollution caused by industry. By 2025 (after Maasvlakte 2 is in operation), no more than 42,000 homes in the Rijnmond area may be exposed to more than 50 dB(A)*. Due to the great distance between Maasvlakte 2 and populated areas, the construction of Maasvlakte will scarcely, if at all, lead to exceding these values. 

Railway noise
Railway noise is being dealt with by measures involving both rails and trains. Nevertheless, the number of homes in the Rijnmond area being exposed to sound pollution from the railways will increase until 2020. This is mainly caused by an increase in trains, especially on the Port Railway. At some locations such as the Caland Railway Bridge, measures have already been taken to reduce sound pollution. (The steel structure of this bridge was acting like a sound box and caused a great deal of nuisance. By now, around 40 million euro has been spent on renovating the bridge) Other measures taken include: installing noise-insulating blocks, working on acoustic barriers, and introducing a speed limit of 60 kph for trains. 

Between 2020 and 2033 all rail equipment will be updated and the number of homes exposed to sound pollution will drop to around half of what it is today.

Road traffic
In spite of the increase in road traffic on the A4, A15 and A20, the sound pollution produced by it will be reduced thanks to the use of quieter asphalt and to vehicles being equipped with quieter tyres and engines. These kinds of measures and the use of acoustic barriers will result in a steady decrease of the number of homes in Rijnmond exposed to sound levels exceeding 50 dB(A)*. 

*dB(A) is a unit for measuring noise level. For the sake of comparison, the tone of normal conversation is 60 dB(A) and the noise present in a normal living room is 40 dB(A).

Homes exposed to sound pollution