Decision support system for action planning in the framework of the European Noise Directive

The European Noise Directive (END) requires assessment of noise exposures as well as the formulation of Action Plans for the reduction of the number of people harmfully affected by environmental noise. TNO is developing a decision support system for noise mitigating measures. The proof of concept of such a system for road noise is presented here. On the basis of a detailed noise map, for each road segment an indication is given for the amount of negative effect (e.g. number of people being highly annoyed) per meter it is causing. On the basis of the characteristics of the road segment, the system suggests possible noise mitigation measures. The effect of the measure chosen by the user, such as the application of silent road surface types or lowering speed limits, can be interactively explored with the system. It directly shows the updated detailed noise contour maps as well as indicators describing the impact after a measure has been applied though the interactive interfac