Assessing the suitability of using the recommended interim method for road traffic noise mapping in Ireland

摘要

A key requirement of EU Directive 2002/49/EC is the development of strategic noise maps in a uniform manner across Member States. In order to prepare these maps, the Directive recommended a number of computation methods to be used by Member States who had no national method or Member States who wished to change their computation method. In Ireland the most widely used calculation method for road traffic noise is the UK's Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) and as such was the chosen method for the first phase of strategic noise mapping. At this juncture, in order to progress with the second phase of noise mapping, it seems appropriate to perform a review of the recommended interim method. Accordingly, this paper presents an initial assessment of the suitability of using the recommended interim method in an Irish context. This assessment involves a direct comparison between CRTN and the recommended interim method. The study shows that that while the basic principles of noise generation and propagation are observed in both calculation methods, results do vary to some degree. However, it is evident that the interim method is appropriate for use in Ireland. Limitations associated with using each method, as they pertain to the Irish scenario, are also outlined.