www.noiseineu.eu: New tools to inform the public about environmental noise in cities and to assist decision-making
Invited paper
BRUITPARIF
Monday 1 june, 2015, 12:00 - 12:20
0.8 Rome (118)
Abstract:
The complexity for citizens and policymakers of understanding usual noise indicators expressed in decibels is a limit to their acceptability and to decision-making.
Thus, within the framework of the Harmonica project financed by the European Commission (LIFE program), an easy-to-understand and easy-to-use noise pollution index was created. Based on a score from 0 to 10 and taking into account both background noise and noise peaks, the Harmonica noise index is closer to the feeling of the population than usual noise indicators. This new index is also very easy to calculate on an hourly basis, using data collected by noise measurement devices.
In order to promote this new approach, to raise awareness of noise pollution and to share experience about best practice to fight against noise around Europe, a website www.noiseineu.eu has been developed and opened last July.
This website contains an on-line platform displaying, in an easy-to-understand graphical representation, the results of the Harmonica index in the European cities which have decided to join the initiative. It also promotes concrete noise reduction initiatives carried out by local authorities and their partners, in order to help local authorities draw up their action plans for implementing the 2002/49/EC directive.
For cities interested, it is very easy to join the platform and to contribute to the database of noise abatement best practices around Europe.
This article presents a description of the tools which are available on-line on the www.noiseineu.eu website and the methodological approach to create them.