Now showing 1 - 10 of 14
  • Publication
    Strategic noise mapping, population exposure estimates and 'acoustical planning' mitigation analysis in a European capital city
    (Portugese Acoustical Assocation, 2010-06) ;
    This paper reports on research conducted to analyse the impact of two noise mitigation measures on levels of population exposure in Dublin, Ireland: travel demand and speed reduction. At the outset, the research utilises the CRTN calculation model, LIMA software and GIS to establish areas of poor sound quality. Then a base reference condition of selected roads within noise hotspots is used as a benchmark for assessing the relative impact of the mitigation measures in terms of their ability to bring about reductions in levels of population exposure to noise for both Lden and Lnight. The results demonstrate that in terms of noise action planning, reducing the level of travel demand leads to the most significant reduction in population exposure for Lden and Lnight. They highlight the significant role that noise mitigation measures can play in aiding good ‘acoustical planning’ in the future.
      365
  • Publication
    Testing the accuracy of smartphones and sound level meter applications for measuring environmental noise
    (Elsevier, 2016-05) ;
    This paper reports on experimental tests undertaken to assess the capability of noise monitoring applications to be utilized as an alternative low cost solution to traditional noise monitoring using a sound level meter. The methodology consisted of testing 100 smartphones in a reverberation room. Broadband white noise was utilized to test the ability of smartphones to measure noise at background, 50, 70 and 90 dB(A) and these measurements were compared with true noise levels acquired via a calibrated sound level meter. Tests were conducted on phones using the Android and iOS platforms. For each smartphone, tests were completed separately for leading noise monitoring apps culminating in 1472 tests. The results suggest that apps written for the iOS platform are superior to those running on the Android platform. They show that one of the apps tested – SLA Lite – is within ±1 dB of true noise levels across four different reference conditions. The results also show that there is a significant relationship between phone age and its ability to measure noise accurately. The research has implications for the future use of smartphones as low cost monitoring and assessment devices for environmental noise.
    Scopus© Citations 127  3212
  • Publication
    Mapping for sustainability: environmental noise and the city
    In the last decade or so, the term sustainability has become fashionable not only among scientists but also among the general public. While this undoubtedly demonstrates that public awareness of environmental issues is increasing, it is also the case that the meaning of the concept can be elusive for many. As has been highlighted earlier in this volume, the notion of sustainability is something of a contested term quite aside from the idea of environmental sustainability, which is a more specific component of the broader concept
      982
  • Publication
    Estimating human exposure to transport noise in central Dublin, Ireland
    This paper reports on research conducted to determine estimates of the extent of environmental noise exposure from road transport on residents and workers in central Dublin, Ireland. The Harmonoise calculation method is used to calculate noise values for the study area while a Geographical Information System (GIS) is utilised as a platform upon which levels of noise exposure are estimated. Residential exposure is determined for Lden and Lnight while worker exposure is determined for Lden. In order to analyse the potential of traffic management as a noise abatement measure, traffic was redirected from the main residential areas to alternative road links and the revised exposure levels were determined. The results show that the extent of noise exposure in Dublin is considerable, and in relative terms, it is worse for the night-time period. In addition, the results suggest also that traffic management measures have the potential to lead to significant reductions in the level of noise exposure provided that careful consideration is given to the impact of traffic flows on residential populations.
      1058Scopus© Citations 84
  • Publication
    Scenario analysis and noise action planning : modelling the impact of mitigation measures on population exposure
    (Elsevier, 2011-07) ;
    This paper reports on strategic noise mapping research conducted in Dublin, Ireland. Noise maps are constructed for the day–evening–night-time and night-time periods and levels of population exposure are estimated for the same periods. In methodological terms, the research uses the UK’s calculation of road traffic noise (CRTN) method for calculating noise levels in the study area. This method has been adopted as the interim calculation method by the Irish authorities responsible for meeting the obligations set out in the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END). The research also investigates the usefulness of three noise mitigation measures for ‘acoustical planning’ purposes: traffic reductions, speed reductions and erection of acoustical barriers. The results indicate that levels of population exposure during night-time are extremely high relative to guideline limits set down by the World Health Organisation. In addition, the results highlight the significant role that certain noise mitigation measures can play in good ‘acoustical planning’.
      1976Scopus© Citations 65
  • Publication
    Implementation of the EU environmental noise directive : lessons from the first phase of strategic noise mapping and action planning in Ireland
    The first phase of noise mapping and action planning in Ireland, in accordance with EU Directive 2002/49/EC, is now complete. In total this included one agglomeration, one airport and approximately 600 km of major roads outside the agglomeration. These noise maps describe the level of noise exposure of approximately 1.25 million people. The first phase of noise mapping was dealt with by five noise mapping bodies while 26 action planning authorities were involved in the development of the associated action plans. The second phase of noise mapping, due to be completed in 2012, sees a reduction in the defined thresholds describing the required agglomerations, roads and railways that have to be mapped. This will have a significant impact on the extent of mapping required. In Ireland this will result in an increased number of local authorities being required to develop strategic noise maps for their area along with the further development of associated action plans. It is appropriate at this point to review the work process and results from the first phase of noise mapping in Ireland in order to establish areas that could be improved, throughout the noise mapping project. In this paper a review of the implementation procedures focussing on (dominant) road traffic noise is presented. It is identified that more standardisation is needed and this could be achieved by the establishment of a national expert steering group.
    Scopus© Citations 60  2037
  • Publication
    Evaluating the impact on noise levels of a ban on private cars in Dublin city centre, Ireland
    Dublin’s city centre is the primary destination in the Dublin region for shopping, employment and education. Public transport services in the area have experienced significant time delays throughout peak periods of the day due to severe traffic congestion. In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and increase the efficiency of public transport in the area, a ‘bus gate’ was introduced to one particularly sensitive area in the city centre. The scheme restricts private vehicles from accessing the area during peak traffic hours. It was hoped that this scheme would result in significant journey time-savings for public transport users and would also result in reduced noise pollution in the city centre from the removal of through traffic. This paper aims to quantify the effect the ‘bus gate’ has had on noise levels in the area. Noise levels were monitored prior to and after the introduction of the scheme and the extent to which the scheme impacted on the noise levels was thus evaluated. The study also estimates the impact extending the ban would have on noise exposure levels in Dublin city centre.
      776Scopus© Citations 13
  • Publication
    Strategic environmental noise mapping : methodological issues concerning the implementation of the EU Environmental Noise Directive and their policy implications
    (Elsevier, 2010-04) ;
    This paper explores methodological issues surrounding the implementation of the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END) across Member States. It also highlights future policy implications arising from the analysis which ought to be considered for improving strategic environmental noise mapping in the future. Methodologically, the paper focuses on two key issues relevant to the Directive: calculation methods and mapping methods. For the former, the paper focuses, in particular, on how differing calculation methods influence noise prediction results as well as the value of the EU noise indicator Lden and its associated implications for comparability of noise data across EU states. With regard to the latter, emphasis is placed on identifying the issues affecting strategic noise mapping, estimating population exposure, noise action planning and dissemination of noise mapping results to the general public. The implication of these issues for future environmental noise policy is also examined.
    Scopus© Citations 160  1520
  • Publication
    An assessment of residential exposure to environmental noise at a shipping port
    (Elsevier, 2014-02) ;
    The World Health Organisation has recently acknowledged that contrary to the trend for other environmental stressors, noise exposure is increasing in Europe. However, little research has been conducted on environmental noise exposure to handling activity at shipping ports. This paper reports on research examining the extent of noise exposure for residents within the vicinity of Dublin Port, Ireland using the nation's largest port terminal as a proxy for port noise. In order to assess the level of exposure in the area, long-term measurements were undertaken at the most exposed residential façade for a period of 45 days to determine the extent of night-time exposure that was above levels recommended by the World Health Organisation. The indicators L90, Leq and LMax were used to determine exposure levels. The results show that exposure is above night-time guideline limits set down by the WHO, above Irish levels for the assessment of noise mitigation and highlight the extent to which port noise can be a significant environmental stressor. The research also investigated the extent of low-frequency noise (which is associated with greater health issues) from night-time port handling activity and found a significant low-frequency component indicating the negative health issues that might arise from port noise exposure more generally. We also undertook semi-structured interviews with residents to qualitatively assess the self-reported impact of prolonged night-time noise exposure for local residents.
    Scopus© Citations 65  986
  • Publication
    Exploring the accuracy of smartphone applications for measuring environmental noise
    (International Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE-USA), 2015-08-12) ; ; ;
    This paper reports on experimental tests undertaken to assess the capability of noise monitoring apps on smartphones to be utilised as an alternative low cost solution to traditional noise monitoring using a sound level meter. The methodology consisted of testing more than 100 smartphones in a reverberation room. White noise was utilised to test the ability of smartphones to measure noise at background, 50, 70 and 90 dB(A) and these measurements were compared with true noise levels acquired via a calibrated sound level meter. Tests were conducted on phones using the Android and iOS platforms. For each smartphone, tests were completed separately for three leading noise monitoring apps culminating in more than 1400 tests. The results suggest that apps written for the iOS platform are superior to those running on the Android platform which, in relative terms, performed rather poorly. For one of the iOS noise apps, the test results were within 1 dB(A) of the true noise level indicating the clear potential of the iPhone to be used as a low cost monitoring device in the future. The research has implications for the future use of smartphones as low cost monitoring and assessment devices for environmental noise.
      2653