Noise Mapping in the EU : Models and Procedures

Protecting citizens from high noise levels and preserving quiet areas in the urban environment is a key issue for the European Community. Noise mapping is the first tool for assessing noise exposure, communicating information to citizens, and defining effective action plans. Indeed, strategic noise maps are now required for all population centres of more than 250,000 inhabitants and for major roads, railways and airports, and strategic noise maps are now becoming required for urban areas with over 100,000 people.

This comprehensive reference guide for technicians and acoustics consultants shows how to integrate data with geographical information systems, improve accuracy in model and prediction software, and assess different methods and descriptors for evaluating annoyance and noise exposure. It provides guidance on regulations, communication processes for citizens involved in decision making, physical aspects, and application. Different chapters are written by European experts from a range of research institutes, companies and environmental agencies.

Preface

Chapter 1 : Introduction
Chapter 2 : Noise Mapping: An Historical Overview
Chapter 3 : Noise Mapping in EU, Legal Basis and The Directive 49/2002/EC
Chapter 4 : Mathematical Models and Ad Interim Methods in Noise Mapping
Chapter 5 : Road Noise Models
Chapter 6 : Noise Mapping for Railway Sources
Chapter 7 : Noise Mapping for Industrial and Harbour Sources
Chapter 8 : National Methods Compared : Differences, Uncertainties, Need of Harmonization
Chapter 9 : The GPG2
Chapter 10 : Input Data for Noise Mapping
Chapter 11 : Uncertainty in Noise Mapping
Chapter 12 : Quality Assurance in Simulation Software
Chapter 13 : GIS Tool for Noise Mapping
Chapter 14 : Management of Noise By Noise Mapping and GIS
Chapter 15 : Population Exposure Assessment to Noise
Chapter 16 : Noise Maps in EU an Overview
Chapter 17 : From Noise Maps to Critical Hot Spots: Priorities in Action Plans
Chapter 18 : Noise Mapping and Communication to General Public
Chapter 19 : Noise Maps, Which Information for EU and Local Policy Makers?
Chapter 20 : From Noise to Annoyance Mapping: A Soundscape Approach
Chapter 21 : Conclusions and Future Perspectives

Index