ENT8: Improved understanding on noise effects

Background and contents

Transport noise is considered the greatest environmental nuisance in Europe. Policy-makers and researchers from the ERA-NET TRANSPORT member countries can greatly benefit from cooperation, in the sense of both an improved understanding of the fundamentals of noise generation on the part of various means of transportation and a more effective implementation of noise-reducing solutions.

Approximately 20 % of the European population are disturbed by the noises of their environment, and more particularly by the noise of the surface transports. The quantification of the noise is the approach currently privileged by the authorities. It is essential to develop relevant indicators, diagnoses, reliable methods of measurement. However, the qualitative aspects characterizing the felt embarrassment are also to consider : measurements taken expensive and of a limited effectiveness lead to frustrations, dissatisfactions, even of the inequalities difficult to attenuate or remove.

Noise research within the ERA-NET TRANSPORT should thus focus on improving the understanding of the impact of noise (and noise reduction tools) on citizens. The new European environmental noise directive requires all member states to analyse noise in bigger cities. Considering existing political constraints and the further steps necessary in the area of noise legislation, it is important to identify and focus on the most economical and efficient solutions for decreasing the population’s exposure to noise.

Key ideas and objectives

The Action Group will seek to better understand the generation and propagation mechanism of noise, figure out and assess the perception and the discomfort felt by people, improve diagnostic and measure tools, quantify the risks and the direct or indirect impacts especially in terms of collective cost, and develop methods for specific management. The knowledge production include physical measures related to existing or innovating vehicles or pollution reduction devices (anti-noise walls, etc..) and on the consolidation of these measures to inventories.

Additionally, it is interesting to examine how an improved understanding of noise effects could influence, for example

• potential future rules and standards for industry, stake holders, public authorities etc.
• environmental impact assesment of public action, at local , regional or national level, such as planning processes, incentive, regulation instruction, etc.
• the socio-economic quantification in terms of private or collective costs and the use of these estimates in the decision-making processes

Participating Countries

The participating countries are France (leader), Germany, Norway and Poland.

Status and intermediate results

Due to necessary clarifications concerning the topic this Action Group has been put on a "stand by" status.