The article presents the issues of protection against road noise mainly due to the selection criteria. One of the current problems is the frequent use of noise barriers, which have become the basic road noise protection method in Poland. The approach to this problem is related primarily to the need to meet noise limits. In the meantime, procedures and criteria are used in many EU countries to use various methods of road noise protection. Economic analyses such as cost-benefit analyses and costeffectiveness analyses are also part of this procedure. The article presents a hierarchical method and criteria for the selection of methods and measures to protect against road noise. This approach may be necessary in the context of the revision of Directive 2002/49/WE with regard to the need to analyse the impact of road noise on human health. The final section provides a theoretical example of the choice of road noise protection methods and measures using the proposed approach. Keywords: road noise; noise protection; noise barrier.