Soundscape characterisation of two motorway service areas

Since the European Noise Directive, noise mapping and actions plans are now part of everyday language for those managing transport infrastructures. These instruments are targeted to year-long exposures in dwellings near the infrastructure: after entering the motorway, passengers and drivers give up agency on their soundscape, which is decided by the vehicle's sound insulation. Service areas are an exception: they are effectively part of the motorway, and thus not controlled by legislation, but users expect from them a restorative soundscape, which is rarely offered. In this work, we present a set of measurements taken in two service areas near Florence. We characterise them in terms of energy levels, semi-structured interviews, and more advanced perception-focused indices, highlighting the potential limitations of classical methods. Finally, we discuss potential restorative actions and their impact on users.