Noise Maps
EU Directive 2002/49/EC, transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 to 2021, calls for the development of strategic noise maps and noise action plans for major roads, railways, airports and agglomerations.
TII is a designated noise mapping body for the development of strategic noise maps for all major national roads carrying in excess of 3 million vehicles a year and for light rail lines.
For the 2022 Phase 4 of noise mapping, strategic noise maps were developed by TII for over 2,100 km of national roads outside the agglomerations of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Additional strategic noise maps were also developed by TII for major non-national roads outside the agglomerations of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. However, major non-national roads mapped by TII remain under the jurisdiction of the relevant local authority.
Strategic noise maps were also developed for the Luas network in Dublin as part of the Dublin City Council noise mapping project. Luas maps can be found at this link.
The strategic noise maps prepared in 2022/2023 are based on road and light rail traffic movements for Q3 and Q4 2021.
The website displays noise maps for major roads outside the agglomerations of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. 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.
This new common assessment methodology has been used for the first time in Round 4. Strategic noise maps for Round’s 1 to 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.
Noise Action Plans
Local Authorities are responsible for making and approving noise action plans in their role as designated Action Planning Authorities under the Regulations. Therefore, the finalised noise actions plans are the sole responsibility of each respective local authority.
National Strategic Noise Maps
Strategic Noise Mapping 2017 Lden Web Map
Strategic Noise Mapping 2017 Lnight Web Map
Strategic Noise Mapping 2012 Lden Web Map
Strategic Noise Mapping 2012 Lnight Web Map
Strategic Noise Maps
- To view the National Strategic Noise Map, please click here.