END Noise Action Plans: Prioritisation Matrix, CNMAs and GIS

摘要

Following the production of Noise Maps in accordance with the European Parliament and Council Directive for Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise 2002/49/EC~(2), more commonly referred to as the Environmental Noise Directive (END), member states were required to produce Action Plans. The objectives of the action plans are to reduce noise levels where necessary, and to preserve environmental noise quality where it is good. Although variously named by member states, in general, the outcome of the action plan process is to provide Noise Management Areas (NMAs) and Quiet Areas (QAs), which should be selected and managed on a prioritised basis. Having developed a prioritisation matrix for the selection of Candidate Noise Management Areas, a Geographical Information System (GIS) can be utilised to identify CNMAs. This article will present a resume of the prioritisation matrix and how GIS has been utilised to identify CNMAs in Scotland.