In an innovative move to enhance urban quality of life, the Ministry of Environmental Protection announced an investment of NIS 10 million in the “Quiet Cities” project. The program will focus on installing advanced technological systems to detect and enforce noise regulations against vehicle noise in local authorities across the country, aiming to reduce noise nuisances and improve urban living conditions.
The Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Noise is a health hazard that harms quality of life, especially in the current period. We are determined to reduce this phenomenon and work towards quieter cities in Israel.”
The project follows successful pilot programs in cities like Acre and Petah Tikva, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the technology in identifying noise nuisances. The new systems will enable local authorities to enforce and fine for unnecessary honking and excessive vehicle noise.
The program is divided into two stages:
1. Enforcing honking not intended to prevent danger.
2. Enforcing excessive noise from motor vehicles through fines.
The ministry emphasizes that noise is considered one of the main environmental risks to public health, with negative effects on both physical and mental well-being. The use of horns and vehicle noise is a significant nuisance, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
The need for the program has grown in light of the ongoing “Swords of Iron” war, where sudden noises can cause heightened stress among the population. The new systems are expected to improve enforcement capabilities and increase deterrence against noise violators.
Local authorities with a population of over 50,000 residents, or city associations representing such authorities, can apply for support of up to NIS 2 million. Eligibility requirements include the enactment of a municipal by-law prohibiting unnecessary honking from vehicles.
The deadline for applications is set for November 1, 2024, with the ministry encouraging municipalities to join the joint effort to make Israel’s cities quieter.
This initiative represents a significant step in tackling urban noise pollution and reflects the government’s growing commitment to improving quality of life in Israeli cities. However, the program’s effectiveness will be evaluated over time, with the main challenge being the enforcement and cultural adoption of noise reduction among the general public.
