Presentation by Tony Dolan, EPA at EPA Noise Workshop on June 13th 2017

1. Environmental
Noise
Research
projects
Tony Dolan
13 June 2017

2. Overview
 CNOSSOS-EU Research project
 Environmental Noise, Health & Wellbeing
project
 Brussels Noise Conference
 UK Noise Attitude Surveys
 Small scale study - Noise complaints
Research project

3. EPA Research Call – Climate, Water,
Sustainability
The 2017 EPA Annual Research Call is now open
 Seeking proposals to help identify solutions to emerging and
complex environmental problems.
 With a particular focus on the importance of a clean, protected
environment for our health, our wellbeing & our quality of life.
 Open to all types of organisations, within and outside of Ireland.
 To apply for EPA funding, you must be registered on Smartsimple, the
EPA’s online Grant Application and project Management system.
Call Timeframe
 Call opening: 5th May 2017
 Call submission deadline: 3rd July 2017
 November 2017: award of new projects

4. CNOSSOS-EU research projects
1. Use of CNOSSOS for Round 4 Noise Mapping (max. €350,000)
 To identify some practical solutions for the successful implementation of
the EU’s new common noise assessment methodology (CNOSSOS)
Proposals submitted under this topic could consider:
 Identifying the main barriers in relation to the implementation of the
CNOSSOS methodology.
 Examining noise propagation issues and, specifically, the point-to-point
sound propagation method within the CNOSSOS methodology.
 Identifying, testing and fine-tuning various technical/practical solutions
(capture of input data, conversion of existing data, software tools, etc.).
 Developing national guidance for CNOSSOS methodology in Ireland.
Co-funding: A no. of transport bodies including the daa, Irish Rail, as well as
Dept. of Transport have been approached to seek some financial support.

5. What is CNOSSOS-EU (1/2)?
 The Environmental Noise Directive (END) sets out a two-stage process
for addressing environmental noise by requiring Member States (MS) to:
 Prepare ‘strategic noise maps’ for major roads, railways, airports,
industrial facilities & agglomerations.
 The competent authorities in each MS are then required to develop
action plans to reduce the level of noise where necessary and to
maintain environmental noise quality where it is good.
 Directive 2015/996 sets out the new common noise assessment
methodology (CNOSSOS) that must be implemented across member
states for the Round 4 noise mapping to commence in 2019.
 CNOSSOS is set out as EU Regulation 2015/996, it is approx. 850
pages of technical methodology. It’s implementation will include;
 New road, rail and industry source models.
 New propagation model.
 Common approach to population exposure assessment.

6. What is CNOSSOS-EU (2/2)?
 Some member states are now testing the method en route to
transposition into national Regulations.
 There will be very significant challenges in trying to implement the
complex CNOSSOS requirements.
http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/eur146675.pdf
 In Ireland, the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 140
of 2006) transpose EU Environmental Noise Directive (END)
2002/49/EC. The European Commission recently published an
evaluation of the END:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/noise/evaluation_en.htm
 The CNOSSOS project should also consider the findings of this
END evaluation process in terms of how the implementation of the
END technical noise mapping process could be improved.

7. Stages in the Noise Mapping Process
7. Post Processing and Analysis
1. Define Areas to be Mapped
3. Develop Dataset Specification
2. Define Noise Calculation Methods
4. Produce Datasets
6. Noise Level Calculations
5b. Develop Noise Model Datasets
GIS Environment
Noise S/W Environment
GIS Environment
5a. Develop Noise Model Datasets
EPA Guidance & Templates
Very time consuming

8. Implementation of CNOSSOS-EU
in Finland (1/3)
 Q1 2015: A survey was undertaken to gather & generate data needed.
 What input data is needed?
 How much/what way did the input data needed in
CNOSSOS EU differs from previous input data?
 Is there enough input data available?
 Which input data is crucial for results?
 outcome of the survey (part I)
 There is no need for new vehicle or train sound
power level measurements (this outcome was crucial)
 Calculation time should not be significantly longer
 Number of people exposed to noise is likely to decrease significantly
because of different exposure calculation method (from one most
affected receiver point, to multiple receiver points on building facade).

9. CNOSSOS-EU in Finland (2/3)
 outcome of the survey (part II)
 input data for CNOSSOS is available or can be purchased
 some of the input data is dificult to get
 ex. rail roughness (lack of data)
 Classification of vehicles (lack of data, powered two
wheelers) is not significant.
 definition of weather condition/the probability of occurrence
of favourable conditions is the biggest job to do
 Implementation: Before CNOSSOS-EU model was usable;
the national (Nordic) sound power factors had to be defined,
as well as traffic, and weather data evaluated.
 The railway model is most challenging part in Finland.
 There are no official guidelines from EC on how to obtain the initial values.
 There is no guidance or good practice guide on how to use CNOSSOS-EU

10. CNOSSOS-EU in Finland (3/3)
 Implementation: during the project two software companies were
informed about the errors in software algorithms.
 Some initial unwillingness to co-operate, to correct program bugs or
add national input data in software;
 Used CADNA software in the end – offered a workable programme.
 Conclusions: Road model usable after implementation of national
coefficients
 Railway model was more problematic.
 User guide and new input data is needed for consultants.
 Calculation time is reasonable.
 It is not recommended to use default weather values!
 EEA may have CNOSSOS guidance translated (Finnish into English)!
http://www2.liikennevirasto.fi/julkaisut/pdf8/lo_2017-04_cnossos-
eu_laskentamalli_web.pdf

11. 2. Environmental Noise, Health
& Wellbeing
 Understanding and quantifying the potential health impacts of
Environmental Noise in Ireland (max. €350,000).
Proposals submitted under this topic could consider:
 Literature review into health & wellbeing linked to environmental noise, &
specifically transport noise (END).
 Examining the findings of recent noise research and reports, including the
WHO Noise Guidelines, EEA 2014, & their significance in an Irish context.
 Critically reviewing existing methodology(s) to assess their effectiveness in
quantifying the extent of annoyance and stress in Ireland.
 Guided by the review of existing methodology(s), re-assessing the extent of
annoyance and stress due to transport related noise in Ireland.
 Performing an assessment of the potential health and wellbeing impacts at a
number of noise hotspots identified (e.g. residents in new housing
development in larger urban areas).

12. Noise in Europe: an assessment (1/2)
 An updated (health impact) assessment: produced for European
Environment Agency (EEA) - Danny Houthuijs (RIVM Netherlands);
 For Environmental Noise Directive (END) assessments, the best
estimate health impacts for EU32 member states is:
 14.7 million adults severely annoyed
 6.1 million adults highly sleep disturbed
 72,000 hospital admissions per year due to cardiovascular disease
 16,600 cases per year premature mortality
 90% of impact in Environmental Noise Directive (END)
assessments are due to road traffic noise
 END assessments may reflect only 20-35% of total impact of
road traffic noise in Europe, based on expert judgement.

13. Noise in Europe: an assessment (2/2)
 How to make a more complete assessment?
 Reporting of missing END data
 Gap filling of missing END data
 Extrapolated to lower levels; Exposure estimates below the noise
levels mapped under the END requirements (e.g. estimation of number
of residents at 45 dB Lden etc.), for road traffic noise only.
 Population in millions estimated to be exposed to road traffic noise in
EU 32 (525 million);
 100 million people exposed to road traffic noise above 55 dBLden (1 in 5)
 4 out of 5 residents in Europe exposed to night levels from road traffic
noise above 40 dB Lnight.
 7 in10 residents in Europe exposed to night levels above 50 dB Lnight
 Limitations: New insights from WHO about health effect and dose-
response relations might influence results.

14. Brussels Noise Conference (1/2)
 Managing Noise exposure in Europe; various EEA reports
 Mainly a transport related issue, especially roads.
 Aircraft less nos. affected, but more specific issue (especially for
children).
 Need to improve the knowledge base – accuracy, comparability,
reliability.
 Very poor data in some EU cities ex. Rome & Brussels etc.
 Need a much better knowledge base to underpin any new policy
(knowledge gaps).
 Effects of noise on Children’s health – big issue (knock on effect later
in life, cognitive impairment, educational attainment etc.).
 Particularly relates to aircraft noise.
 Some recent research near German airports ex. Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart
(STRAIN & DEUFRAKO studies)

15. Brussels Noise Conference (2/2)
 Socially disadvantaged areas – more likely to be located nearer road
traffic (inner cities, motorways etc.)
 Noise will soon be included in Indicators of health at EU level.
 EU/Ire could look to include noise reduction as a lever in
achieving sustainable development goals!
 Mobilise citizen power: Use health policy platform as a means to
increase awareness & visibility of noise & other env. health issues.
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/hpf/
 12th ICBEN Congress on Noise as a Public Health problem Zurich
18-22 June 2017. http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-
topics/environment-and-health
 Brussels Conference:http://www.euconf.eu/noise-conference/index.html

16. UK Noise Attitude Surveys (1/2)
 History of Attitude Surveys in the UK
 NNAS2012, SoNA2013, SoNA2014
 National Noise Attitude Survey (NNAS)
 Series of 3 related surveys, roughly 10 years apart (1992, 2002)
 Survey of Noise Attitudes (SoNA)
 More agile and adaptable version of NNAS
 Designed to respond to more immediate policy needs, 2 to date.
 NNAS 2012 survey - Covered all sources of noise (13 categories):
 Aircraft, airports, Trains or railway stations, Road traffic
 Building, construction, demolition, renovation or road works
 Neighbours (inside or outside their homes)
 Sports, Other entertainment or leisure
 Factories or works, Other commercial premises

17. UK Noise Attitude Surveys (2/2)
 National Noise Attitude Survey (NNAS) 2012 - Typical Q’s Asked
 Is there anything you particularly like/dislike about living in this
neighbourhood/home?
 How do you feel about the amount of noise around here?
 When you are at home, to what extent are you personally bothered,
annoyed or disturbed by noise from … (Not at all, a little, moderately,
very, extremely, don’t know, don’t hear)?
 Taking action (complaining, installing mitigation, avoidance, etc).
 Sample: A total of 2747 interviews were available for analysis
 72% of respondents had a positive attitude to their local noise env.
 48% of people feel their home life is spoilt ‘to some extent’ by noise
(43% in 2000)
 From 2000 to 2012, noise has moved up from ninth to 4th place in a
list of twelve environmental problems.

18. Belfast City Night Time
Noise Service (1/2)
 Night Time Noise Service (NTNS) introduced in 1999 because of
iceberg effect – a hidden problem:
 Increasing complaints; Complaints to Police & other bodies;
 Problems of enforcement; Customer needs;
 Hours of Operation:
 20:00 – 04:00hrs, 7 days a week. Enforcement officers operation
times 11pm – 4am (majority of complaints 24:00 – 02:00 hrs).
 Noise Act 1996.
 New Night Time Noise Offence.
 Permitted Level - clear standard.
 Powers - Warning Notice; - Fixed Penalty; - Seizure.
 Resources
 Well resourced; Strong political support; Tangible benefits

19. Belfast City Night Time
Noise Service (2/2)
 Experience of NTNS;
 Complaint Escalation; no. of complaints quadrupled.
 Currently 6,200 night-time noise complaints recorded in Belfast, pop
330,000, with 80% of these from dwellings (neighbour hood
/domestic complaints).
 A projected figure based on the populations of Dublin & Cork would
be 18,000 & 3,000 complaints respectively!
 In Ireland in 2015, LAs recorded a total just 1,400 noise complaints
(mainly in the Dublin region).
 Public Feedback
 I hope that Belfast City Council keeps this invaluable service going
and maybe other Councils could introduce a similar service in their
areas...‘

20. Noise Complaints -
small scale study (1/2)
 Included a review of 3 Local Authorities (LA’s) operations consisting
of Counties Clare, Kildare and South Dublin.
 In 2015 South Dublin CC received 118 noise complaints, of which
25 related to transport or traffic noise.
 Measures implemented included: special speed limits, noise
reducing road surfaces, HGV bans, Luas extension/bus lanes,
Green cycling route, & extension of primary cycle network.
 Netherlands: includes a comparative study of two LAs in the
province of South Holland (Schiedam and Gouda municipalities).
 Schiedam is a conglomeration of 16 smaller municipalities, & they
recorded approx.12,000 noise complaints in 2015.
 The majority of noise complaints logged relate to shipping in the
port area of Rotterdam, and from airport noise.

21. Noise Complaints -
small scale study (2/2)
 In Ire the no. of noise complaints recorded due to transport sources
appears to be generally low, except for some major urban areas.
 Outside of the Dublin agglomeration, there were very few noise
complaints logged in 2015 (Clare -1, Kildare - 37).
 Dedicated noise units are based at a variety of levels in the 4 Dublin LAs.
However, there are no dedicated noise units or noise officers in the other
major cities ~ Cork, Galway or Limerick.
 Many LAs do have a dedicated customer care access system in place
(website) where members of the public can log complaints.
 The 2016 ‘NIECE: National Protocol for dealing with Nose Complaints for
LAs’ outlines some useful measures, such as:
 a documented noise complaints policy; advice on noise complaints
mediation; & advice on training and up skilling of enforcement staff.
 Report to be published on Smartsimple: https://epa.smartsimple.ie/

22. ANY
Qs
Noise Mapping: http://www.epa.ie/monitoringassessment/noisemapping/
Noise Mapping Guidance: http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/noisemapping/