Noise Mapping
The Environmental Noise Directive (END) and the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 to 2021 (The Regulations) requires Strategic Noise Maps to be prepared for the agglomeration of Cork for each of the following noise sources;
- Road Traffic (All Roads and Major Roads)
- Railway Traffic (All Rail and Major Rail)
- Industry including ports.
Strategic Noise Maps for road, rail and industry are included here for Cork City Council’s administrative area and also the full agglomeration of Cork.
The Strategic Noise Maps present noise contours for the following two noise indicators in line with the requirements of The Regulations;
- Lden - The day - evening - night level is a noise indicator for overall annoyance based upon annual average A-weighted long-term sound over 24 hours with a 5dB(A) penalty for evening noise (19:00 – 23:00) and a 10 dB(A) penalty for night time noise (23:00 – 07:00). Lden noise levels above the threshold of 55dB are required to be reported to the European Commission.
- Lnight – The night level is a noise indicator for sleep disturbance based upon annual average A-weighted long-term sound over the night period (23:00 – 07:00). Lnight noise levels above the threshold of 50dB are required to be reported to the European Commission.
Noise levels that are at or above the noise indicator thresholds set out above are presented at 5 dB contours, i.e. there are no contours representing values below the required reporting thresholds included on the maps.
The noise contours are not based on measurements but have been prepared using computer modelling in-line with a common noise assessment methodology adopted by the European Commission in line with Article 6.2 of the EC Directive 2002/49/EC and brought into effect through Commission Directive (EU) 2015/996. The new common methodology is called CNOSSOS – EU and further details can be found at this link [https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC72550]. This new common assessment methodology has been used for the first time in Round 4. Strategic noise maps for Cork for Round 3 were produced using a different recognised methodology available at that time. This change should be considered when making any direct comparisons between the Round 4 maps and maps for previous Rounds as the modelling methodologies as well as input data sets will have changed.
The purpose of the Strategic Noise Maps are to;
- Provide relevant data to the European Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive,
- Provide a source of information for the general public on environmental noise and its effects,
- Provide the basis for developing Noise Action Plans.
The Strategic Noise Maps for Cork City and the agglomeration of Cork can be downloaded using the link below;