noise

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noise

Strategic noise maps produced in the strategic mapping stage is one of the
key inputs into the Noise Action Planning stage. Strategic noise maps identify
and prioritise cluster areas which require further assessment and which may
require mitigation measures to be put in place.

Strategic Noise Maps - What are they?

The Environmental Noise Directive(END) and the European Communities(Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 to 2021 (The Regulations) requires Strategic Noise Maps to be prepared for the agglomeration of Cork for each of the following noise sources:

- Road Traffic (all roads and major roads);

- Railway Traffic (all rail and major rail); and

- Industry Traffic including ports.

 

The Strategic Noise Maps present noise contours for the following two noise indicators in line with the requirements of The Regulations;

- Lden - The day - evening - night level is a noise indicator for overall annoyance based upon annual average A-weighted long-term sound over 24 hours with a 5dB(A) penalty for evening noise (19:00 – 23:00) and a 10 dB(A) penalty for nighttime noise (23:00 – 07:00). Lden noise levels above the threshold of 55dB are required to be reported to the European Commission.

- Lnight – The night level is a noise indicator for sleep disturbance based upon annual average A-weighted long-term sound over the night period (23:00 – 07:00). Lnight noise levels above the threshold of 50dB are required to be reported to the European Commission.

Purpose of Strategic Noise Maps

The purpose of the Strategic Noise Maps is to:

- Provide relevant data to the European Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive;

- Provide a source of information for the general public on environmental noise and its effects; and

- Provide the basis for developing Noise Action Plans.

Assessment Methods

Noise levels that are at or above the noise indicator thresholds set out above are presented at 5dB contours, i.e. there are no contours representing values below the required reporting thresholds included on the maps.

 

The noise contours are not based on measurements but have been prepared using computer modelling in-line with a common noise assessment methodology adopted by the European Commission in line with Article 6.2 of the EC Directive 2002/49/EC and brought into effect through Commission Directive (EU) 2015/996. The new common methodology is called CNOSSOS – EU and further details can be found at this Link.

Strategic Noise Maps for Cork

This new common assessment methodology has been used for the first time in Round 4 which is the Round that the current maps are based on.  Strategic noise maps for Cork for Round 3 were produced using a different recognised methodology available at that time.  This change should be considered when making any direct comparisons between the Round 4 maps and maps for previous Rounds as the modelling methodologies as well as input data sets will have changed.

 

 

The Strategic Noise Maps for road, rail and industry for the agglomeration of Cork can be downloaded at this Link.

 

The Noise Maps outside the Agglomeration for Cork County Council can be found on the TII website at this Link.

Cork Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2018 to 2023

The Cork Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2018 to 2023 is available at the following Link.

Cork Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2024 To 2028 - DRAFT

The draft Cork Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2024 to 2028 is available at the following Link.

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