EU-noise maps: Analysis of submitted data and comments

Abstract

Nearly all EU member states have submitted noise map data as required by EU Directive 2002/49. All the submitted data was published on the EU-web site, which makes it possible to compile and analyze the data. As could be expected, not all data was usable as published. Even when the EU-data format was used (which most did), confusion could arise on the figures. After scrutiny, data for 64 million people was obtained with respect to road traffic noise in agglomeration, and for significant lower part of the population for the other noise sources. This is 53% of the data to be reported, and 13% of the EU27 population. Apart from some unexpected glitches, the overall impression is that the quality of the data is fair and yields important information on the exposure of the EU-population to noise. The rough estimates from the Greenpaper on Noise 1 from 1996 are largely confirmed.