Noise mapping in the EU : models and procedures

 Content: Front Cover; Contents; Preface; Contributors; Chapter 1 --
 Fundamentals; Chapter 2 --
 Legal basis on noise mapping in the European Union and the Directive 69/2002/EC; Chapter 3 --
 Measurements; Chapter 4 --
 Road traffic noise; Chapter 5 --
 Railway noise; Chapter 6 --
 Industrial and harbour noise; Chapter 7 --
 Airport noise; Chapter 8 --
 The Good Practice Guide, Version 2; Chapter 9 --
 Uncertainty and quality assurance in simulation software; Chapter 10 --
 Geographic information system tools for noise mapping; Chapter 11 --
 Maps and geographic information systems in noise management Chapter 12 --
 The evaluation of population exposure to noiseChapter 13 --
 Noise maps in the European Union: An overview; Chapter 14 --
 Noise maps from different national assessment methods: Differences, uncertainties, and needs for harmonisation; Chapter 15 --
 Communication to the general public; Chapter 16 --
 Which information for the European and local policy makers?; Chapter 17 --
 From noise maps to critical hot spots: Priorities in action plans; Chapter 18 --
 From noise to annoyance mapping: A soundscape approach; Back Cover
 Abstract:             \"Protecting citizens from high noise levels and preserving quiet areas in the urban environment is a key issue for the European Community. Noise mapping is the first tool for assessing noise exposure, communicating information to citizens, and defining effective action plans. Indeed, strategic noise maps are now required for all population centres of more than 250,000 inhabitants and for major roads, railways and airports, and strategic noise maps are now becoming required for urban areas with over 100,000 people.This comprehensive reference guide for technicians and acoustics consultants shows how to integrate data with geographical information systems, improve accuracy in model and prediction software, and assess different methods and descriptors for evaluating annoyance and noise exposure. It provides guidance on regulations, communication processes for citizens involved in decision making, physical aspects, and application. Different chapters are written by European experts from a range of research institutes, companies and environmental agencies\"