Noise Mapping in the EU: Models and Procedures

Noise mapping is the first tool to effectively assess noise exposure, communicating information to citizens, and defining effective action plans for protecting citizens from high noise levels and preserving quiet areas in urban European Community environments. Indeed, strategic noise maps are now required in the European Union for all population centers of more than 250,000 inhabitants, as well as for major roads, railways, and airports, and are becoming required for urban areas with over 100,000 people. Providing a comprehensive reference guide for students, researchers, acoustics consultants, and environmental agencies, Noise Mapping in the EU: Models and Procedures 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 offers guidance on regulations, communication processes, physical aspects, and application of noise mapping, as well as on communication processes for citizens involved in decision making. Beginning with fundamental concepts in acoustics and a presentation of legal frameworks for noise mapping in Europe, the book covers all the main issues about noise mapping. It presents numerical models for roads, railways, airports, harbours, and industrial sites. The chapters are written by European experts from a range of research institutes, companies, and environmental agencies. Using a practical approach and worked examples, the text discusses control and uncertainty in input data and output results, technical recommendations from working groups, and the Good Practice Guide (GPG) tool. It provides in-depth coverage of geographic information system (GIS) techniques for noise management and the evaluation and management of noise exposure, and concludes by reviewing noise mapping experiences in Europe, communication to the public, and future perspectives for mapping the effects of noise.

Table of Contents:
Fundamentals; D. Palazzuoli and G. Licitra Noise evaluation and mapping Legal basis on noise mapping in the European Union and the Directive 69/2002/E; P. de Vos and G. Licitra Measurements; J.L. Cueto and R. Hernandez Road traffic noise; G. Dutilleux Railway noise; P. de Vos Industrial and harbour noise; J. R. Witte Airport noise; R. Bütikofer The Good Practice Guide, Version 2; G. Licitra and E. Ascari Uncertainty and quality assurance in simulation software; W. Probst Noise mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Geographic information system tools for noise mapping; J.L. Cueto and G. Licitra Maps and Geographic Information Systems in noise management; D. Manvell The evaluation of population exposure to noise; G. Brambilla Noise mapping in Europe Noise maps in the European Union: An overview; P. De Vos and G. Licitra Noise maps from different national assessment methods: Differences, uncertainties, and needs for harmonization; S. Kephalopoulos and M. Paviotti Communication and action plans Communication to the general public; P. McDonald Which information for the European and local policy makers? L. Maffei From noise maps to critical hot spots: Priorities in action Plans; W. Probst Future perspectives From noise to annoyance mapping: A soundscape approach; G. Memoli and G. Licitra Index

About the Author :
Gaetano Licitra is head of the Lucca Department at the Environmental Protection Agency of Tuscany Region (ARPAT) and a professor of acoustics at the University of Pisa, Italy. He participated in the EU Working Group on Health and Social Economic Aspects and in the HARMONOISE , IMAGINE, and ENNAH EU Projects (FP5, FP6, and FP7). He is a member of the European Environment Agency’s Expert Panel on Noise (EPON).

Review :
"...this book is an excellent reference on relevant aspects of noise mapping. It achieves the goal of being readable and of value to all the stakeholders that may be involved at any stage of a noise mapping project. The variety of authors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to each chapter and this more than offsets any changes in style or small overlaps in content." -Acoustics Australia Review, April 2014 "I believe all professionals involved in noise prediction and noise mapping field will benefit from the contents of this book. Recommended." -Marek Kovacik, Scantek, Inc., "There have been many guidelines and reports from projects and specific examples of achievements of noise mapping, and actions against noise in various countries and cities. But there has been no comprehensive summary yet. What was missed was an introduction into the concepts, the technical approaches and the implementation and management of noise control, and a critical review of the experience with noise maps and future perspectives. Here we have it!" --Michael Vorlander, Institute of Technical Acoustics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany "This book is valuable and timely. ...presents the state of knowledge on the assessment of noise exposure, communicating information to citizens, and defining effective action plans." -David Waddington, Journal of Sound and Vibration "The chapters in this book are written by a variety of experts from various companies, institutions, and agencies from countries all over Europe. As a result, Noise Mapping in the EU provides an insight into the technical methodologies as well as legal framework for noise mapping in the European Union. ...This book provides helpful references for users involved in modeling noise for industry, airports, roads and railways alike. Topics are supplemented by formulae and a dedicated colored section for referenced images. Although the title of the book may suggest its value will hold only for EU mapping... all professionals involved in noise prediction and noise mapping field will benefit from the contents of this book." --Noise Control Engineering Journal, January-February 2013