Road traffic noise modelling and population exposure estimation using CNOSSOS-EU: Insights from Ireland

In 2009 the European Commission sanctioned the development of a new noise calculation method - CNOSSOS-EU - as part of commitments outlined in the Environmental Noise Directive. CNOSSOS-EU aims to develop consistency and cross-national comparability of noise modelling and population exposure results across the EU. This paper assesses the implementation of the CNOSSOS-EU road traffic model for Ireland with a view to determining its effect on future population exposure statistics relative to previous estimations. In order to do this, CNOSSOS-EU and CRTN-TRL models were compared by way of a roadside measurement experiment and population exposure estimation analysis. Results from the roadside measurement experiment indicated that the CNOSSOS-EU model predicts the real noise situation more accurately compared to CRTN-TRL. This suggests that estimates of population exposure statistics calculated under the CNOSSOS-EU method may more accurately reflect the real noise exposure situation than previously reported estimates of population exposure statistics calculated using the CRTN-TRL method. Furthermore, the results found higher levels of population exposure to road traffic noise levels > 55 dB(A) L_den and > 50 dB(A) L_night using CNOSSOS-EU relative to CRTN-TRL. This has implications for future population exposure estimations and the associated provision of noise action planning within agglomerations.