Lnight 2017 Contours

To view noise maps in ‘Google Earth’ for an average night time period (11pm-7am) from all road traffic sources, click on the link below and download the associated ‘zip’ file. The unzipped sound contours can then be opened in Google Earth. (You need to have access to Google Earth on your computer in order to open these files.)

Download night-time noise maps for all road sources.

The sound contours displayed on this page are the Ln (Night-time sound levels). The Ln value is comprised of the average of the calculated sound values for the night period (11pm -7am).

Sound levels that are below those that are required to be reported to the European Commission are represented by the absence of colour; there are no Ln contours representing values below 45dB (A).

The Noise Action Plan for Dublin states that night-time levels above 55 decibels are undesirable and levels below 50 decibels are desirable.

The sound contours are not based on measurements but rather on computer modelling as required by EC Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. See here for more detail. In summary this directive requires member states to determine

• (a) exposure to environmental noise (by means of noise mapping which uses methods of assessment common to the member states),
• (b) ensuring that information on environmental noise and its effects are made available to the public and
• (c) adoption of action plans.