Monitoring public response and user ability in consulting and managing the Dynamap system

摘要

The DYNAMAP project is a LIFE project aimed at developing a dynamic noise mapping system able to detect and represent in real time the acoustic impact of road infrastructures. To that end, the project has involved the design of a complex monitoring network and communication devices, as well as the implementation of an advanced management and reporting platform to update noise maps and inform the public on noise issues. Public information on noise impacts is one of the most problematic objectives of the environmental noise directive 2002/49/EC that authorities responsible for providing strategic noise maps shall face. In order to facilitate public information, a web-GIS software application has been developed within the Dynamap project. To guarantee the full effectiveness of this application, a group of selected users has been monitored to check their aptitude in managing the system and help developing a user-friendly interface for public information. Tests have been also administered to the general public to evaluate the system versatility and its contents comprehensibility. In this paper a detailed description of the tests prepared to check recipients ability in managing and consulting the system, of the results achieved and of corrective actions undertaken to improve the web software application is reported.