Integrating climate adaptation and noise mitigation: a review of transportation noise pollution under climate change

Transportation noise pollution is an urgent environmental and public health issue, exacerbated by the growing impacts of climate change and urban expansion. This review explores how climate adaptation and noise mitigation strategies can be integrated within transportation systems. Through a comprehensive analysis of current literature, the paper examines the role of urban planning, green infrastructure, and sustainable transport in addressing both challenges simultaneously. Findings reveal that many adaptation strategies such as electrified transit, resilient infrastructure design, and nature-based solutions, offer co-benefits for noise reduction. Zoning reforms, green corridors, and soundscape planning are shown to reduce exposure to harmful noise while improving air quality and urban livability. The transition toward electric and multimodal transportation further cuts greenhouse gas emissions and reduces acoustic pollution. However, effective integration requires better alignment between climate policies and noise regulations, such as the European Union's Environmental Noise Directive. The review calls for cross-sector collaboration and inclusive planning to build cities that are not only climate-resilient but also acoustically healthier. Embedding noise mitigation into climate adaptation frameworks can help transform transportation systems to meet environmental goals and protect public well-being. Keywords: Climate change, noise pollution, transportation noise, adaptation strategies, noise mitigation, public health