- STP
- FEDERACJA
- CZŁONKOSTWO
- CENTRUM
- WYDAWNICTWA
- Technika i Nauka
- Biuletyn STP
- Publikacje
- Polak laureatem nagrody Johna Templetona w roku 2008
- Skutki globalnego efektu cieplarnianego
- Zagadnienia Bezpieczeństwa w Procesie Projektowania Szybkiej Kolei
- Kolejna publikacja inż. Krzysztofa Głuchowskiego
- Dramatyczny postęp technologii wobec rozwoju człowieka
- Na 40-lecie POSKu. Podwaliny pod pomnik emigracji - Strona 1
- Rozwój nowej technologii wykonywania szybkiego badania krwi
- An overview of the EU environmental noise directive
- Sekwencjoner DNA nowej generacji - dobór materiału
- Polak ojcem 150-cio letniego światowego przemysłu naftowego
- Jak Zapewnić Bezpieczeństwo w Procesie Projektowania Linii Kolejowej na Duże Szybkości - Strona 1
- Pros and cons in using risk tolerance criteria - Page 1
- 50 LAT "Techniki i Nauki"
- KALENDARZ STP
- Z ŻYCIA STP
- LINKI
- EKSPERTYZY
- ARCHIWUM
© STPwWB
An overview of the EU environmental noise directive
Tom Brodowski
What does the Directive aim to achieve?
As set out in Article 1 of the Directive, it aims to provide the basis for a coherent, integrated EU policy on environmental noise - common approach to the problem intended to avoid, prevent or reduce, according to priority, harmful effects of noise including annoyance.
It introduces measures to classify and understand environmental noise problems, as a key step in preventing the way for future concrete environmental noise reduction measures.
As part of this drive, the Directive is instigating EU-wide "noise mapping" based on a common methods and indicators, to determine the level of exposure to environmental noise.
Sample of noise map
Noise mapping is the representation of acoustic data in a cartographical format - similar to that employed when plotting height contours on a conventional land map. Its benefits are the visualisation of acoustic data, and by combination of the information with a geographical information system (GIS) enabling the correlation of different datasets. Thus population density can be related to noise exposure to generate information about the number of people exposed to noise levels above a certain criteria level.
In broad terms noise data for noise maps may be achieved by two methods:
- measurement
- prediction
The current trend is to use modelling based on complex propagation algorithms to predict noise data, with the most recent work in the UK carried out by Birmingham City Council. They have mapped the whole of Birmingham, looking at road, rail, air and major industrial noise sources. The complete report is available from the UK DEFRA web site (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research.htm).
Daytime noise map of whole of Birmingham City
These strategic maps, which will be compiled at a local level, will be made available to the public. The results of the mapping exercise should form the basis for development of action plans and strategies at local, national and EU levels to combat noise pollution where necessary, and to preserve noise quality where it is to be found to be good.
In more detail, "competent authorities" in member states will be required to draw up strategic noise maps for major roads, railways, airports and agglomerations, using common noise indicators, Lden (day-evening-night equivalent level) and Lnight (night equivalent level), (Again, I'll come back to a noise indicator later in my report)
Member states will also be able to use their own supplementary indicators to monitor or control special situations. The two noise indicators introduced in the Directive will be used throughout the EU. Member states themselves will determine the concrete figures for limit values, (I'll come back to a limit value later in my report)
The maps, when completed, will be used to assess how many people are annoyed and sleep disturbed throughout Europe. The process of noise mapping and action planning will be repeated every five years, to enable the developing noise situations to be monitored.
Ultimately, the aim is to develop a long-term EU strategy, with the aim of reducing the number of people affected by noise in the longer term, and to set out a framework for developing European Commission noise policy.
What does the Directive entail?
The main actions proposed will take place over the course of the next decade. These include recommendations for harmonizing noise indicators and assessment methods, and noise mapping and action plans based on these common methods. An EU data bank of noise maps and action plans will be established, and reports will be issued at regular intervals based on this data.
Article 11 of the Directive also allows for further proposals at the end of the decade for long and medium terms goals to reduce the numbers exposed to roads, rail, civil air and industrial noise, measures necessary to reach these goals and strategy to protect relatively quiet rural areas. Member states have until 18 July 2003 to define limit values in terms of Lden and Lnight, and the Commission will publish these limits to enable public comparison, which it believes will put pressure on member states to set high standards.
