A progress report on E. C. proposed noise mapping

As an integral part of the development of a framework directive for the assessment and reduction of environmental noise, the European Commission has set up five working groups on the perception of noise. Working Group 4 (W.G.4) is investigating noise mapping techniques and is required to produce a position paper for the E. C. giving guidelines for effective noise mapping. It is now widely accepted that the provisions of mapping information is essential to a process designed to reduce exposure of citizens throughout Europe to unacceptable levels of environmental noise. This will be achieved by providing the public and politicians with information on the scale of the problems that are faced and by providing decision makers at local, regional, national, and European level with the information they require to develop action plans for noise reduction. Mapping will also provide a means of monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of such plans. W.G.4 held its first meeting just prior to the Invitational Conference on the European Unions Future Noise Policy held in Copenhagen in early September 1998. The paper will provide a progress report of W.G.4.