TII and Noise

The Environmental Noise Directive

In 2002 the European Union issued the Environmental Noise Directive (END) (2002/49/EC) to establish a framework for environmental noise planning and define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects, due to exposure to environmental noise. The main aim of the END is to put in place a European-wide system for identifying sources of environmental noise, informing the public about relevant noise data and then taking the necessary steps to reduce noise exposure.

Strategic Noise Mapping

The Environmental Noise Regulations (2006) transposed the END into Irish law and set out the various responsibilities associated with the production of noise maps. In 2018, the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 549 of 2018), revoked Environmental Noise Regulations 2006.

TII is identified as a Noise Mapping Body with responsibility for the preparation of strategic noise maps of all national Major Roads outside the agglomerations of Dublin and Cork, and for Major (light) Rail, i.e. Luas, within the Dublin Agglomeration.

The strategic noise map for the Dublin Agglomeration, including the M50, was prepared by the four Dublin local authorities (Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council).

The results of this mapping are utilised by Noise Action Planning authorities around the country when preparing their Noise Action Plans. TII actively consulted with all Noise Action Planning authorities to help improve the noise environs for citizens throughout the country.

Further information on strategic noise maps prepared by TII can be found at the link below:

https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/environment/noise-maps/

Guidelines

In 2004, the National Roads Authority (NRA) published the Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise and Vibration in National Road Schemes. These Guidelines were supplemented in 2014 with the Good Practice Guidance for the Treatment of Noise during the Planning of National Road Schemes. Both publications have been invaluable in ensuring a consistent approach is adopted in the consideration of noise and vibration during the planning and construction of national road schemes.

Both the Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise and Vibration in National Road Schemes and Good Practice Guidance for the Treatment of Noise during the Planning of National Road Schemes can be found at the link below along with further TII Planning Guidelines

https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/environment/planning/