Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise
Date: 2000-07-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU environmental policy, environmental law, noise, noise protection, public awareness campaign

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Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the Assessment
and Management of Environmental Noise

(2000/C 337 E/41)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(2000) 468 final (cid:16) 2000/0194(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission on 26 July 2000)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of
Committee,

the Economic and Social

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

(1) It is part of Community policy to achieve a high level of
health and environmental protection, and one of
the
objectives to be pursued is protection against noise. In
the Green Paper on future noise policy (1),
the
Commission addressed noise in the environment as one
of the main local environmental problems in Europe.

(2) In its resolution of 10 June 1997 (2) on the Commission
the European Parliament expressed its
Green Paper,
specific measures and initiatives
support, urged that
should be laid down in a framework Directive on the
reduction of environmental noise, and noted the lack of
reliable, comparable data regarding the situation of the
various noise sources.

(3) The specific proposal for a common noise indicator and a
and
common methodology
in the
measurement
communication
on Air
Transport and the Environment should be fully taken
into account in the provisions of this Directive.

around airports provided for

of 1 December

calculation

1999 (3)

noise

for

(4) Noise emission from products

is already covered by
Council Directive 86/188/EEC of 12 May 1986 on the
protection of workers from risk related to exposure to
noise at work (4), as amended by Directive 98/24/EC (5),

(1) COM(96) 540 final, 4.11.1996.
(2) OJ C 200, 30.6.1997, p. 28.
(3) COM(1999) 640.
(4) OJ L 137, 24.5.1986, p. 28.
(5) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998, p. 11.

and noise
insulation between dwellings by Council
Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the
approximation
administrative
regulations
provisions of the Member States relating to construction
products (6), as amended by Directive 93/68/EEC (7); noise
created inside means of
from
transport and noise
domestic activities are not subject to this Directive.

and

of

collected,

sufficiently

achieved by

(5) In accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and
proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty, the
objectives of achieving a high level of environmental
the
protection cannot be
Member States because environmental noise levels are
not
to
or
comparable
and can therefore, by way of
harmonising indicators and evaluation methods and by
aligning noise-mapping criteria, be better achieved by
the Community. This Directive confines itself
to the
minimum required in order to achieve those objectives
and does not go beyond what
that
purpose.

is necessary for

according

reported

collated

criteria

(6) At present, Member States do not have any common
definitions of national limit values for road-traffic noise,
rail-traffic noise, aircraft noise around airports, and
industrial noise. Those limits should be defined in terms
of harmonised indicators for the determination of noise
levels.

(7) The

indicator

should be determined by consistent

methods.

(8) Noise mapping can capture the data needed to provide a
representation of the noise levels perceived within the
area of interest. Action plans are required, taking into
the principles of prevention, polluter pays,
account
proximity and proportionality;
the
to the information society,
Community’s commitment
the most appropriate information channel
should be
selected.

light of

in the

(9) Data

collection and

suitable
the
Community-wide reports are required as a basis
for
future Community policy and for further information of
the citizens.

consolidation of

(6) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12.
(7) OJ L 220, 30.8.1993, p. 1.

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should be

(10) Medium and long-term goals for the reduction of

the
number of citizens affected by the noise from specific
sources
further
research may provide even more compelling results; a
time limit should be set; such results need to fit into an
affordable cost envelope consistent with other environ-
mental and life-quality aspirations.

established now;

some

(11) The

technical provisions
should be

assessment
methods
supplemented and adapted as
necessary to technical and scientific progress and to
progress in European standardisation.

governing

the

(12) Since the measures necessary for the implementation of
this Directive are measures of general scope within the
meaning of Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of
28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise
of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (1),
they should be adopted by use of
regulatory
procedure provided for in Article 5 of that Decision.

the

(13) An evaluation of

the implementation of

this Directive

should be carried out regularly by the Commission,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Objectives

1.
The aim of this Directive is to define a common approach
to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health
due to exposure to environmental noise, by:

(a) assessment of environmental noise in Member States, based

on common methods;

(b) ensuring that information on environmental noise and its

effects is made available to the public.

2.
Action shall be taken to reduce noise where necessary,
and to maintain environmental noise quality where it is good.

Article 2

Scope

1.
This Directive applies to environmental noise perceived
by humans in and near their home, in public parks or other
relatively quiet areas in an agglomeration,
in relatively quiet
areas in the open country, in and near schools in the case of
pupils, in and near a hospital in the case of patients and in
other noise-sensitive buildings and areas.

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

This Directive shall not apply to noise that is caused by
2.
the exposed person himself, noise from domestic activities,
noise created by neighbours, noise at work places and noise
inside means of transport.

Article 3

Definitions

For the purpose of this Directive:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Benvironmental noiseC means unwanted or harmful sound
including noise
created by human activity outdoors,
emitted by means of transport and from industrial sites
or industrial buildings;

Bhuman healthC means Ba state of complete physical, mental
and social well-beingC as defined by the constitution of the
World Health Organisation (WHO);

Bharmful effectsC means negative effects on human health;
examples are noise-induced annoyance, sleep disturbance,
interference with communication, negative effects on
learning, hearing loss, stress and hypertension;

BannoyanceC means
annoyance as determined by means of field surveys;

the degree of

community noise

Bnoise indicatorC means a physical scale for the description
of
a demonstrable
relationship with a harmful effect;

environmental noise, which has

BassessmentC means any method used to measure, calculate,
predict or estimate the value of a noise indicator or the
related harmful effect(s);

(g)

Bday-evening-night level Lden (or LDEN)C means the noise
indicator for annoyance, as further defined in Annex I;

(h)

Bnight-time noise indicator, Lnight (or LNIGHT)C means the
noise indicator
self-reported sleep disturbance, as
further defined in Annex I;

for

(i)

(j)

(k)

Bdose-effect relationC means the relationship between the
value of a noise indicator and a harmful effect;

BagglomerationC means part of a territory, delimited by the
Member State, having a population in excess of 100 000
persons and a population density such that the Member
State considers it to be an urbanised area;

Brelatively quiet area in an agglomerationC, means an area,
delimited by the competent local authority, which is not
exposed to a value of Lden greater than a certain value, to
be declared by the Member State, from any noise source;

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(l)

(m)

(n)

(o)

(p)

(q)

(r)

(s)

(t)

(u)

Brelatively quiet area in the open countryC, means an area,
delimited by the national or regional competent authority,
that
industry or
recreational activities, and where natural quiet can be
experienced;

is undisturbed by noise from traffic,

Bnoise zoneC means the Member State’s established legal
definition for a zone along, or around, noise sources
Bnoise
where legal
zoningC means all the actions related to the implemen-
tation of a noise zone and the application of the related
rules;

rules apply to control

the noise;

Bmajor roadC means a regional, national or international
road, designated by the Member State, which has more
than three million vehicle passages per year;

Bmajor railwayC means a railway, designated by the Member
State, which has more than 30 000 train passages per
year;

Bmajor airportC means a civil airport, denominated by the
Member State, with more than 50 000 take-offs and
landings per year;

Bnoise mapC means the presentation of data on an existing
or predicted noise situation in terms of a noise indicator,
breaches of a limit value, the number of people affected in
a certain area, the number of dwellings exposed to certain
values of a noise indicator in a certain area, or on cost-
benefit
ratios or other economic data on mitigation
methods or scenarios;

Bstrategic noise mapC means a noise map designed for the
global assessment of the situation in a given area or for
overall predictions for such an area;

the

Blimit valueC means a value of Lden or Lnight, as declared by
the Member State,
exceeding of which causes
competent authorities to consider or enforce mitigation
measures; limit values may be different for different type
of noise (road, rail, air traffic noise, industrial noise, etc.),
different surroundings, different groups of the population
and they may also be different for existing situations and
for new situations (where there is a change in the situation
regarding the noise source or the use of the surrounding);

Baction plan for an agglomerationC means
the plan
designed to reduce the noise in the agglomeration at
places where the limit value for Lden or Lnight
is
exceeded and to protect relatively quiet areas in the
agglomeration against an increase in noise;

Baction plan for a major road, railway or airportC means an
activity designed to reduce the noise at places near the
major road, railway or airport where the limit value for
Lden or Lnight is exceeded;

(v)

(w)

(x)

Bacoustical planningC means controlling future noise by
planned measures; it includes land use planning, systems
engineering for
traffic planning, abatement by
sound insulation measures and noise control of sources;

traffic,

Bspecial insulation against noiseC means special insulation
of a building against one or more types of environmental
noise, combined with such ventilation or air conditioning
facilities that high values of insulation against environ-
mental noise can be maintained;

Ba relatively quiet faDadeC means a faDade of a dwelling at
which the value of Lden at 4 m above the ground and 2 m
in front of the faDade, for the noise emitted from a specific
source,
the faDade
having the highest value of Lden.

is more than 20 dB lower than at

Article 4

Implementation and responsibilities

The Member States shall designate at

the appropriate
1.
levels the competent authorities and bodies responsible for
implementation of
including the authorities
responsible for:

this Directive,

(a) the making and approval of noise maps and action plans
for agglomerations, major roads, major railways and major
airports;

(b) the collection of noise maps and action plans.

The Member States

2.
assessment methods,
quality assurance programmes.

shall

accuracy of
in coordination with Community-wide

ensure

the

3.
The Member State shall make the information referred to
in paragraph 1 available to the Commission and to the public
not later than 30 June 2003.

Article 5

Noise indicators and their application

The noise indicators

1.
strategic noise
mapping, acoustical planning and noise zoning shall be Lden
and Lnight. Member States shall apply these indicators:

to be used for

(a) for noise maps according to Article 7;

(b) in new legislation on strategic noise mapping, acoustical

planning or noise zoning;

(c) in any revision of existing legislation on strategic noise

mapping, acoustical planning or noise zoning.

2. Member States may use additional noise indicators for
special cases as listed in Annex I(3).

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Not later than 30 June 2003, Member States shall inform
3.
the Commission of the limit values currently in force or under
preparation, in terms of Lden and Lnight for road traffic noise,
rail traffic noise, aircraft noise around airports and industrial
noise. This shall be accompanied by a declaration on the conse-
quences of a breach of the limit values.

Article 6

Assessment methods

The values of Lden and Lnight shall be assessed with the
1.
computation or measurement methods as defined in Annex II.

Health effects

2.
relations as defined in Annex II.

shall be assessed with the dose-effect

Article 7

Noise maps

shall ensure that no later

1. Member States
than 31
December 2004 noise maps showing the situation in the
preceding calendar year have been made and approved by
the competent authorities, for all agglomerations with more
than 250 000 inhabitants and for all major
roads, major
railways and major airports within their territory.

Not later than 30 June 2003, Member States shall inform the
Commission about
the major roads, major railways, major
airports and the agglomerations with more than 250 000
inhabitants within their territory that are covered by the defi-
nitions under Article 3.

shall ensure that not

2. Member States
December 2010 action plans for
more than 100 000 inhabitants within their
completed and approved by the competent authorities.

than 31
later
the agglomerations with
territory are

The action plans shall satisfy the minimum requirements

3.
of Annex V.

The action plans shall be remade every five years after the

4.
date of their preparation.

Article 9

Information for the citizen

1. Member States shall ensure that
the noise maps are
published on the Internet or any other on-line facility, or are
published in some other suitable way, within two months after
their approval by the competent authority.

2. Member States shall ensure that, before the action plans
are approved,
the responsible authority organises a public
consultation and takes the results into account.

3.
The action plans shall be published on the Internet or any
other on-line facility within two months after their approval by
the competent authority.

Article 10

shall ensure that no later

2. Member States
than 31
December 2009 noise maps showing the situation in the
preceding calendar year have been made and approved by
the competent authorities for all agglomerations with more
than 100 000 inhabitants within their territory.

Collection and publication of data by Member States and
the Commission

1. Member States shall collect the noise maps and action
plans.

Not later than 31 December 2008 Member States shall inform
the Commission about all
the agglomerations within their
territory that are covered by the definitions under Article 3.

The noise maps shall satisfy the minimum requirements

3.
of Annex IV.

Neighbouring Member States

4.
noise-mapping near borders.

shall cooperate on the

The noise maps shall be remade every five years after the

5.
date of their preparation.

Article 8

Action plans

shall ensure that not

than 31
1. Member States
December 2005 action plans for
roads, major
railways, major airports and agglomerations with more than
250 000 inhabitants within their territory are completed and
approved by the competent authorities.

the major

later

2. Member States shall ensure that the information from
noise maps and summaries of the action plans as referred to
in Annex VI to this Directive are sent to the Commission not
later than three months after the dates as referred to in Articles
7 and 8 respectively.

The Commission shall set up a data bank of information

3.
on noise maps.

Every five years,

4.
the Commission shall publish a
summary report of data from noise maps and action plans.
The first report shall be presented within one year after the
respective dates as referred to in paragraph 2.

Article 11

Review and reporting

1.
Not later than 31 December 2007, the Commission shall
submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report
based on experience of the application of this Directive.

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shall

The report

include a review of

the need for
2.
Community quality objectives related to environmental noise
if appropriate, propose such objectives and propose
and,
implementing
the
to ensure
objectives. The strategy shall consider:

achievement of

strategies

(a) long-term and medium-term goals for the reduction of the
is affected by the noise from
include road

number of persons that
specific sources; these specific sources shall
traffic, rail traffic, civil air traffic and industry;

(b) any measures that are necessary to reach the goals; these
measures could include the Community policy on noise
sources and all other relevant measures;

(c) relatively quiet areas in the open country.

3.
The report shall be based on the data as referred to in
Article 10, on scientific and technical progress and on other
relevant
information. The reduction of harmful effects on
human health and cost-effectiveness criteria shall be the main
criteria for the selection of proposed strategies and measures.

The report shall be reviewed every five years or as appro-

4.
priate.

The report shall be accompanied as appropriate by

5.
proposals to amend this Directive.

Article 12

Adaptation

4.

The Committee shall:

(a) exchange information and experiences concerning the
implementation and practical application of this Directive;

(b) assist the Commission with the development of guidelines

that support the application of the Directive.

Article 14

Evaluation

Every five years, starting not later than 1 January 2009, the
Commission shall present
an evaluation report on the
implementation of this Directive to the European Parliament
and the Council.

Article 15

Transposition

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this
Directive not later than 30 June 2003. They shall inform the
Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a
reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member
States shall determine how such reference is to be made.

The Commission shall,
in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 13(2), adapt the Annexes to technical
and scientific progress.

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
text of the provisions of national law that they adopt in the
field covered by this Directive.

Article 13

Committee

The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee
the

1.
instituted by Article 18 of Directive 2000/14/EC of
European Parliament and of the Council (1).

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the regulatory
procedure laid down in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall apply, in compliance with Article 7 and Article 8 thereof.

The period provided for in Article 5(6) of Decision

3.
1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

Article 16

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

Article 17

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

(1) OJ L 162, 3.7.2000, p. 1.

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ANNEX I

NOISE INDICATORS

1. Day-evening-night level

1.1 Definition

The day-evening-night level Lden (or LDEN) in decibels (dB), is defined by the following formula:

Lden ¼ 101g

1
24

(cid:1)

12 (cid:2) 10

Lday
10 þ 4 (cid:2) 10

Leveningþ5

10 þ 8 (cid:2) 10

Lnightþ10
10

(cid:2)

in which

F Lday is the A-weighted long-term average sound level as defined in ISO 1996-2: 1987, determined over all the

day periods of a year;

F Levening is the A-weighted long-term average sound level as defined in ISO 1996-2: 1987, determined over all

the evening periods of a year;

F Lnight is the A-weighted long-term average sound level as defined in ISO 1996-2: 1987, determined over all

night periods of a year;

in which

F the day is 12 hours, the evening 4 hours and the night 8 hours; Member States may consider a general resting
period in the afternoon as a part of the BeveningC and shorten the real evening period accordingly (such a
choice shall be identical for noise from all types of sources);

F the start of the day (and consequently the start of the evening and the night) shall be chosen by the Member
State (this choice shall be identical for noise from all types of sources); the default values are 7.00F19.00
hours, 19.00F23.00 hours and 23.00F7.00 hours local time;

F a year is the relevant year regarding the emission of sound and an average year regarding the meteorological
circumstances, an average meteorological year being defined as a year having the average meteorological
conditions over 10 or more recent years;

and in which

F the incident sound is considered, which means that the sound that is reflected at the faDade of a dwelling or

another building under consideration is neglected.

The height of the assessment point of Lden is dependent on the application:

F for the purpose of strategic noise mapping in relation to noise exposure in and near buildings, the assessment
points are at a height 4,0 – 0,2 m (3,8 m F 4,2 m) above the ground, at 2,0 – 0,2 m in front of the most
exposed faDade; for the purpose of noise mapping as defined in Article 7 of this Directive, the most exposed
faDade will be the external wall facing onto and nearest to the specific noise source; for other purposes other
choices may be made;

F for the purpose of strategic noise mapping of public parks and relatively quiet areas in the open country the

assessment points are at 4,0 – 0,2 m above the ground;

F it is recommended to base zone contours on the value of Lden at 4 m height, if appropriate;

F for other purposes other heights may be chosen, but they shall never be below 1,5 m above the ground;

examples are the following:

F the design of local measures meant to reduce the noise impact of specific dwellings;

F detailed noise map of a limited area, showing the noise exposure of individual dwellings.

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1.2 Application of LDEN for the assessment and reduction of adverse noise effects

For long-term noise exposure, LDEN has a proven relation with the degree of community noise annoyance and
particularly with the percentage of highly annoyed respondents (% HA).

LDEN, in combination with special dose-effect relations, is also applicable in the following cases:

F annoyance due to noise with strong tonal components;

F annoyance due to noise with an impulsive character;

F adverse effects on learning by children.

Reduction of the value of LDEN will also reduce the number of people that suffer from specific health effects, such
as sleep disturbance, stress, hypertension or interference with communication. For an optimum assessment and
reduction of such specific effects the use of an additional noise indicator may be necessary, however.

2.

Night-time noise indicator

2.1 Definition

The night-time noise indicator Lnight (or LNIGHT) is the A-weighted long-term average sound level as defined in
ISO 1996-2: 1987, determined over all the day periods of a year;

in which

F the night is 8 hours as defined in paragraph 1.1 of this Annex;

F a year is a relevant year regarding the emission of sound and an average year regarding the meteorological

circumstances, as defined in paragraph 1.1 of this Annex;

F the incident sound is considered, as described in paragraph 1.1 of this Annex;

F the assessment point is the same as for LDEN.

Note that the definition of Lnight does not include an addition of 10 dB.

2.2 Application of LNIGHT

For long-term noise exposure LNIGHT has a proven relation with self-reported sleep disturbance, for example
expressed in terms of the percentage of people that report to be highly sleep disturbed (% HS).

LNIGHT may be also a suitable indicator for specific medical or social effects related to noise exposure during the
night (quality of the sleep, awakenings, problems to fall asleep, etc.). Thus, reduction of the value of LNIGHT will
certainly reduce all adverse health effects of night-time noise exposure. For some specific effects and some specific
noises, the application of additional indicators may improve the effectiveness of measures, however.

3. Additional noise indicators for special cases

Additional to LDEN and LNIGHT it may be advantageous to use special noise indicators and related limit values.
Examples are the following:

F the noise source under consideration only operates a small part of the time (for example less than 20 % of the
time of the total of the day periods over a year, the total of the evening periods over a year, or the total of the
night periods over a year);

F there is, in one or more of the periods, as an average, a very low number of events (for example less than one
noise event per hour, a noise event being defined as a noise that lasts less than five minutes; examples are the
noise from a passing train or a passing aircraft;

F the low-frequency content of the noise is strong;

F extra protection of the weekend or a specific part of the year;

F extra protection of the evening period;

F combination of noise from different sources;

F relatively quiet areas in the open country.

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The following special cases may either be treated with LDEN combined with special dose-effect relations, or with a
special noise indicator consisting of LDEN which is adjusted for the difference in the dose-effect relations as
compared with normal cases:

F the noise contains strong tonal components;

F the noise has an impulsive character.

When the latter choice is made, the adjusted indicator shall have a symbol other than BLDENC or BLdenC.

ANNEX II

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1.

Introduction

The values of Lden and Lnight can be determined either by measurement (at the assessment position) or by
computation. For predictions only computation is applicable.

Interim computation and measurement methods are presented in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Annex.

Paragraph 4 of this Annex describes the interim situation for dose-effect relations.

2.

Temporary measurement methods for Lden and Lnight

If the Member State has an existing legally founded measurement method, that method shall be adapted according
to the definition of the indicators as presented in Annex I and according to the principles for long-term average
measurements as presented in ISO 1996-2: 1987 and ISO 1996-1: 1982.

If the Member State has no existing measurement method, or prefers to shift to another method, a method can be
defined on the basis of the definition of the indicator and the principles presented in ISO 1996-2: 1987 and
ISO 1996-1: 1982.

3.

Interim computation methods for Lden and Lnight

3.1. Adaptation of existing national methods

If the Member State has existing national methods for the determination of long-term indicators these methods
may be applied, provided that they are adapted to the definition of the indicators as presented in Annex I. For
most national methods this implies the introduction of the evening as a separate period to be considered and the
introduction of the average over a year. Some existing methods should also be adapted concerning the exclusion of
the faDade reflection, the incorporation of the night and/or the assessment position. This adaptation should not
affect the continuation of existing legally founded noise abatement programmes nor the financial compensation
and mitigation schemes that are integral parts of such programmes.

The averaging over a year requires special attention. Contributions to the fluctuations over a year are introduced
by fluctuations of the emission and by fluctuations of the transmission.

3.2. Temporary computation methods

For Member States that have no existing national methods or Member States that wish to shift to another method,
the following methods are recommended.

For INDUSTRIAL NOISE: ISO 9613-2: BAcoustics F Attenuation of sound propagation outdoors, Part 2; General
method of calculationC.

Suitable noise emission data (input data) for this method can be obtained from measurements according to one of
the following methods:

F ISO 8297: 1994 BAcoustics F Determination of sound power levels of multisource industrial plants for

evaluation of sound pressure levels in the environment F Engineering methodC;

F EN ISO 3744: 1995 BAcoustics F Determination of sound power levels of noise using sound pressure F

Engineering method in an essentially free field over a reflecting planeC;

F EN ISO 3746: 1995 BAcoustics F Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using an enveloping

measurement surface over a reflecting planeC.

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For AIRCRAFT NOISE AROUND AIRPORTS: ECAC.CEAC Doc. 29 BReport on Standard Method of Computing
Noise Contours around Civil AirportsC, 1997. From the different approaches for the modelling of flight tracks, the
segmentation technique as mentioned in section 7.5 of ECAC.CEAC Doc. 29 shall be used.

For ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE: The French national computation method BNMPBC, as published in BArrŒtØ du 5 mai
1995 relatif au bruit des infrastructures routiŁres, Journal officiel du 10 mai 1995, Article 6C and in the French
standard BXPS 31-133C. For input data concerning the emission, these documents refer to the BGuide du bruit des
transports terrestres, fascicule prØvision des niveaux sonores, CETUR 1980C.

For RAILWAY NOISE: The national computation method BStandaard-Rekenmethode IIC of the Netherlands, as
’96, Ministerie Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke
published in BReken- en Meetvoorschrift Railverkeerslawaai
Ordening en Milieubeheer, 20 November 1996C.

All the above methods shall be adapted to the definition of LDEN and LNIGHT. Not later than 1 July 2003 the
Commission will publish guidelines on the revised methods and provide emission data for aircraft noise, road
traffic noise and railway noise on the basis of existing data.

If Member States want to use a method other than described in paragraph 3.1 or 3.2 of this Annex, they shall
demonstrate that the method proposed gives equivalent results to those set out above.

4. Dose-effect relations for the interim period

In order to assess the effect of noise on populations dose-effect relations are required. These will be introduced in
future revisions of this Annex. For the interim period relations from position papers of Commission Working
Group 2 BDose/EffectC on the present knowledge on dose-effect relations, relations from literature, or relations as
defined by the Member State could be used.

ANNEX III

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAPPING SOFTWARE

Noise mapping software used to implement Article 7 of this Directive shall satisfy the following minimum requirements:

F Be based on the computation methods as defined in Article 6 and Annex II;

F Contain a site modelling facility;

F Contain source emission models; geometrical information on the noise sources would be obtained from the site

modelling facility;

F Contain noise propagation calculation facilities;

F Contain facilities for the presentation of mapping information relating to outdoor noise levels;

F Data export interface to EC databases: export of data according to Annex VI in a unified data format, to be defined

in a Commission guideline.

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ANNEX IV

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR NOISE MAPS

1. A noise map is the presentation of data on one of the following aspects:

F An existing, a previous or a predicted noise situation in terms of a noise indicator;

F the exceeding of a limit value (Bconflict mapC);

F the number of dwellings in a certain area that are exposed to specific values of a noise indicator;

F the number of people that are affected (annoyed, sleep disturbed or otherwise) in a certain area;

F cost-benefit ratios or other economic data on mitigation measures or scenarios.

2. Noise maps may be presented as:

F graphical plots;

F numerical data in tables;

F numerical data in electronic form.

3. The noise maps shall serve the following goals:

F Provide a basis for the data to be sent to the Commission according to Article 10(2) and Annex VI of this

Directive;

F Provide a source of information for the citizen according to Article 9 of this Directive;

F Provide a basis for action plans according to Article 8 of this Directive.

Each of these goals requires different types of noise maps.

4. Minimum requirements for the noise maps related to the data to be sent to the Commission are given in the

paragraphs 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 of Annex VI of this Directive.

5. For the information of the citizen according to Article 9 of this Directive and for the development of action plans

according to Article 8 of this Directive, additional and more detailed information is required such as:

F Graphical presentation;

F Conflict maps, in which the exceeding of a limit value is presented;

F Difference maps, in which the existing situation is compared with options for future situations;

F Maps in which the value of a noise indicator in front of individual dwellings (at different heights) is presented.

Member States may provide rules on the type and format of these noise maps.

6. Strategic noise maps for local or national application shall be made for an assessment height of 4 m and the 5 dB

ranges of LDEN and LNIGHT as defined in Annex VI of this Directive.

7. For agglomerations separate strategic noise maps shall be made for road traffic noise, rail traffic noise, aircraft noise

and industrial noise. Maps for other sources may be added.

8. The Commission may develop guidelines providing further guidance on noise maps and noise mapping.

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ANNEX V

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTION PLANS

1. The action plans shall at least contain the following elements:

F A description of the agglomeration (size, location, number of inhabitants, land use, main noise sources, type of
buildings and their use), the major road, the major railway or the major airport (location, size, data on the traffic,
surroundings);

F Responsible authority;

F The legal context;

F Limit values according to Article 5;

F A summary of the results of the noise mapping;

F An analysis of the health situation, based on the noise maps and the dose-effect relations;

F Identification of problems;

F Any noise measures already in place and actions that are underway;

F Situations to be improved;

F Actions which the competent authorities intend to take for the next five years, including actions to maintain

relatively quiet areas;

F Budgets for the actions;

F Long-term strategy;

F A record of the public consultations according to Article 9(2);

F Any cost/effectiveness or cost/benefit assessment.

The actions, which the authorities intend to take within their competence, may include:

F Traffic planning,

including the redirection of

traffic,

the introduction and enforcing of speed limits,

the

promotion of public transport and modal shift (such as a change from road to rail transport), etc.;

F Land use planning;

F Technical measures at sources, including road surfaces and railway tracks.

F Selection of quieter sources;

F Reduction of sound transmission (noise barriers, tunnels, insulation of dwellings, etc.);

F Licences;

F Public campaigns;

F Noise monitoring (measurement of noise at one or more positions in order to check whether or not received or

emitted noise satisfies a pre-set requirement);

F Financial measures such as charges and penalties.

The actions shall have a suitable budget that is approved by the competent authorities.

Intended actions for which a budget has not been approved yet shall be mentioned separately, with an indication of
the timeframe in which financing is expected.

The action plans shall indicate the expected effects in terms of the reduction of the number of affected people
(annoyed, sleep disturbed, or other).

2. The Commission may develop guidelines providing further guidance on the action plans.

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ANNEX VI

DATA TO BE SENT TO THE COMMISSION

The data to be sent to the Commission is the following:

1.

For agglomerations

1.1. A concise description of the agglomeration: location, size, number of inhabitants.

1.2. The responsible authority.

1.3. Noise-control programmes that have been carried out in the past and noise measures in place.

1.4. The computation or measurement methods that have been applied.

1.5. When the interim computation methods according to Annex II are applied: the total number of people that are
living in dwellings that are exposed to each of the following ranges of values of LDEN in dB at 4 m height at the
most exposed faDade: < 55, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, > 79, separately for noise from road, rail and air
traffic, and from industrial sources. The figures shall be given to the nearest hundred people (example: 5 200 =
between 5 150 and 5 249; 100 = between 50 and 149; 0 = less than 50).

Additionally, it shall be stated how many persons in the above categories are living in dwellings that have:

F Special insulation against the particular noise;

F A relatively quiet faDade.

Additionally, it shall be stated how many schools and hospitals are exposed to each of the above ranges of LDEN
and how many pupils and patients are related to these figures.

Additionally, the total area of parks (in km2) within each of the above ranges of LDEN.

It shall also be indicated how major roads, major railways and major airports, as defined in Article 3 of this
Directive, contribute to the above.

When the common methods according to Article 6(2) and Annex II are applied, the above range is extended with
< 50, 50-54, replacing < 55 dB.

1.6. When the interim methods according to Annex II are applied: the total number of people (in hundreds) living in
dwellings that are exposed to each of the following ranges of values of LNIGHT in dB at 4 m height at the most
exposed faDade: < 45, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, > 74, separately for road, rail and air traffic and
for industrial sources.

Additionally, it shall be stated how many persons in the above categories are living in dwellings that have:

F Special insulation against the particular noise;

F A relatively quiet faDade.

It shall also be indicated how major roads, major railways and major airports contribute to the above.

When the common methods according to Article 6(2) and Annex II are applied the above range shall be extended
with < 40, 40-44, replacing < 45 dB.

1.7. The size (in km2) and relative size (in % of the total area of the agglomeration) of public parks and other public

relaxation areas with values of LDEN below 55 dB, as caused by any noise source.

1.8. A summary of the action plan, covering the relevant aspects as referred to in Annex V, not exceeding 10 pages.

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2.

For major roads, major railways and major airports

2.1. A general description of the road, railway or airport: location, size, and data on the traffic.

2.2. A characterisation of its surroundings: agglomerations, villages, countryside or otherwise, information on land use,

type of buildings and their use, other noise sources.

2.3. Noise-control programmes that have been carried out in the past and noise measures in place.

2.4. The computation or measurement method that has been applied.

2.5. When the interim methods according to Annex II are applied: the total number of people (in hundreds) outside
agglomerations that are living in dwellings exposed to each of the following ranges of values of LDEN in dB at 4 m
above the ground and at 2,0 – 0,2 m in front of the most exposed faDade: 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79,
> 79.

Additionally, it shall be stated how many persons in the above categories are living in dwellings that have:

F Special insulation against the particular noise;

F A relatively quiet faDade.

Additionally, it shall be stated how many schools and hospitals are exposed to each of the above ranges of LDEN
and how many pupils and patients are related to these figures.

When the common methods according to Article 6(2) and Annex II are applied, the above range is extended with
50-54 dB.

2.6. When the interim methods according to Annex II are applied: the total number of people (in hundreds) outside
agglomerations that are living in dwellings exposed to each of the following ranges of values of LNIGHT in dB at
the most exposed faDade: 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, > 74.

Additionally, it shall be stated how many of the above persons are living in dwellings that have:

F Special insulation against the particular noise;

F A relatively quiet faDade.

When the common methods according to Article 6(2) and Annex II are applied the above range shall be extended
with 40-44 dB.

2.7. The total area (in km2) exposed to values of LDEN higher than 55, 65 and 75 dB, respectively. Additionally, the
total number of dwellings (in hundreds) and the total number of people (in hundreds) living in each of these areas
shall be given. These figures shall include agglomerations.

The 55 and 65 dB contours shall also be shown on one or more maps, which shall include information on the
location of villages, towns and agglomerations within the contours.

2.8. A summary of the action plan, covering the relevant aspects as referred to in Annex V, not exceeding 10 pages.

3. Guidance

The Commission will develop guidelines providing further guidance on the delivery of the above data.