The EnviroSHaPER noise model generates noise exposure levels at points across a region using a simplified version of the CNOSSOS-EU standard noise model. It has a user-friendly interface and runs noise calculations in PostGIS based on input spatial data on road networks, traffic flows, land use, and other factors. The model estimates source noise levels and propagates noise along paths to receptors, accounting for distance, barriers, and other conditions. It outputs noise exposure metrics to ArcGIS and CSV files for epidemiological studies.

1. EnviroSHaPER Noise Model
David Morley, Imperial College London

2. EnviroSHaPER Noise Model
Generate noise exposure at points (addresses)
User-friendly application
Based on the new CNOSSOS-EU standard model
Simplified approach for national scales

3. Noise exposure

4. Noise exposure
Common metrics used in epidemiology
LAEQ16 16hr day average 07:00 – 23:00
LDAY 12hr day average 07:00 – 19:00
LEVE 4hr evening average 19:00 – 23:00
LNIGHT 8hr night average 23:00 – 07:00
LDEN 24hr average weighted towards night and
evening

5. CNOSSOS-EU Framework
A harmonised method for Europe to
allow comparison between countries
Rail, Aircraft, Industrial and Road
sources
A full (complex) sound propagation
model to assign noise levels to
receptors
In this application, both source
definition and propagation needs to
be simplified

6. EnviroSHaPER Input Data
Data set Description Use
Traffic flow Number of vehicles per hour on a road segment On a particular road segment, the number of vehicles defines
the total noise source
Vehicle type Relative proportion of light vehicles (e.g. passenger cars)
and heavy vehicles (e.g. lorries, buses)
A heavy vehicle contributes more noise than a light vehicle
Speed limits Maximum legal limit or average speed (if available)
according to road class and vehicle type
The speed of a vehicle effects the associated sound power
output
Road network Spatial layout of the road network Sound propagation and contribution at a receptor is based on
the distance to, and the number of nearby roads and
associated traffic flows
Road junction type Presence of roundabouts or crossings on a road
segment
Influence on acceleration and deceleration and vehicle engine
noise
Land cover Land cover types over the study area (buildings,
grassland, woodland, water bodies etc.)
Distinction between sound absorbent (e.g. vegetation) and
sound reflective surfaces (e.g. concrete)
Building heights Height and location of buildings Buildings act as a barrier to sound propagation
Air temperature Annual average air temperature As air temperature increases, traffic noise will decrease
Prevailing wind direction Expected proportion of time wind can be expected from
a certain direction (by quadrant)
A favourable (following) wind direction can aid sound
propagation
Road surface type and age Road surface material (e.g. concrete, asphalt) and age
(condition)
Older roads and specific surface types lead to higher rolling
noise levels
Studded tyre usage Relative proportion of vehicles using studded (snow)
tyres
Studded tyre use contributes to higher rolling noise levels
Road gradient Slope of each road segment Influence on acceleration and deceleration and vehicle engine
noise
Topography Elevation model of the study area Line-of-sight between noise sources and receivers for sound
propagation

7. EnviroSHaPER Input Data
Land cover
Building heights
Road geography
Traffic flow

8. EnviroSHaPER Input Data
Morley, D.W., de Hoogh, K., Fecht, D.,
Fabbri, F, Bell, M. , Goodman, P.S.,
Elliott, P., Hodgson, S., Hansell, A., and
Gulliver, J. International scale
implementation of the CNOSSOS-EU
road traffic noise prediction model for
epidemiological studies (in press)
Environmental Pollution

9. EnviroSHaPER Modelling
For each receptor point:
1) Find road segments within 500m
2) Project source-receptor ‘ray paths’
3) Calculate source noise at these points
4) Calculate propagation of noise along ray
path to receptor
5) Exponentially sum values for each path

10. EnviroSHaPER Modelling
Source traffic noise
DATA SOURCES
•Road network geography
•Traffic flow for light and heavy vehicles
SOUND POWER EMMISION
•Rolling noise: Road surface (type, age)
•Propulsion noise: Engine noise (road
gradient, vehicle speed), vehicle type

11. EnviroSHaPER Modelling
Sound propagation
Noise levels at a receptor is the accumulation of noise along all
propagation paths
Propagation is a function of:
Distance from the source
Angle of view of to the road segment
Atmospheric absorption
Meteorological conditions
Land cover

12. EnviroSHaPER Modelling
Sound propagation

13. EnviroSHaPER Application
A user-friendly windows interface
Runs in PostGIS behind the scenes

14. EnviroSHaPER Application
Dialogue boxes to specify inputs
All inputs ArcGIS shapefiles
Very few other options

15. EnviroSHaPER Application
Receptors CORINE polygons
Generalised building heights Road network and traffic flow

16. EnviroSHaPER Application
As each receptor is processed:
Noise estimations shown
Map of roads in range
• At the end:
Histogram of predictions
Clickable points on OSM
base

17. Summary
CNOSSUS-EU model designed to allow comparable noise models for
Europe
Is extremely detailed (localised), but here is simplified to more general
(regional) situations.
Implementation
User-friendly front-end to a PostGIS spatial data base
Requires PostGIS is installed (but runs behind the scenes)
Output is ArcGIS shapefile and .csv for Excel
See the User Guide for full details
David Morley: d.morley@imperial.ac.uk

18. Acknowledgement
The research leading to these results has received funding from the
European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under
grant agreement n° 261433 (Biobank Standardisation and Harmonisation
for Research Excellence in the European Union - BioSHaRE-EU)