GIpSyNOISE: a GIS tool adapted to the European Directive on Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise 2002/49/CE: technical aspects

摘要

Evaluation of noise levels that people are exposed to in an urban environment is an important consideration for Greater Lyon, the organisation responsible for urban planning in the Lyon region. Hence, Greater Lyon undertook a LIFE Environment project called ? GIpSyNOISE ? to develop a GIS based tool for decision-makers that can be used for estimating noise levels and determining the size of the exposed population. The project is funded by the French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development and by the European Union. GIpSyNOISE could be used to pinpoint areas with unacceptable noise levels and assist decision-makers in implementing urban development plans for reducing them. It will also propose means of communication toward the public through noise maps as requested by the European directive on assessment and management of environmental noise. For the organisation of the project there are two committees; the Technical Committee is in charge of all technical aspects, whereas the Operational Committee is concerned with the definition of end-users needs and GIpSyNOISE features. This article presents the general architecture of the tool, its major functionality with respect with the European directive and cities needs, and its limitations. At the beginning of the project a presentation of the functionality of the tool was made to the end-users, and critical review of existing tools in the field of noise propagation models and of Geographic Information System was undertaken. An “Expression of needs” report was then prepared that included detailed functional specifications of GIpSyNOISE tool. The developed system will be evaluated by the city partners in the project to ensure that it meets end users requirements.