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MONITORING AND MAPPING OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE
CHAPTER SIX RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
WIDER USE OF NOISE MAPPING 'OUTPUT' DATA
6.1 Noise mapping data has many benefits beyond the immediate objective of identifying noise from particular sources at a given location. The data may potentially be of use to a number of organisation for research (academic and policy) or a commercial basis.
6.2 Researchers investigating geographical patterns between noise levels and other geographic data would be able to utilise high-resolution noise maps for their analysis. Areas of potential interest might include relating ambient noise to:
- Socio-economic/Address (property values, crime levels, unemployment)
- Environmental (air quality, landscape, amenity value)
- Health (mental illness, respiratory illness)
- Landuse Planning (UDP, Planning constraints, noise action plans, air quality action plans)
- Transport (LTP, and strategic transport planning, Multi-modal studies)
6.3 The noise data may have commercial value to a number of organisations.
6.4 If population exposure results in MasterMap building TOIDS (Topographical Identifiers) being attributed with maximum or minimum façade noise levels, the OS may see value in incorporating this information as a MasterMap layer or attribute. The noise grids or contours may also be added to MasterMap. It is recommended that SEGIS consider the implications of the foregoing.
6.5 If dissemination of information by the Scottish Executive is to be to GIS units then the data format is an important issue.
6.6 Existing websites ( www.homecheck.co.uk, www.upmystreet.co.uk) provide spatial queries at postcode resolution against other spatial datasets e.g. air quality, radon concentrations, proximity to authorised processes etc.. Currently, noise data is not available for these sites to use. Noise data may be of potential interest.
FURTHER RESEARCH
6.7 To undertake sensitivity analysis of input data where options currently exist. An example would be to examine the effect of assuming all buildings at 8m high rather than inputting actual building heights. Other options would be to consider the effect of not 'cleaning' road centre line data, not using terrain data, or soft/absorbent ground etc.
6.8 The mechanism for compiling noise maps with regards to data availability and licence issues should be considered. This will be dictated by whether the mapping is carried out centrally by the Scottish Executive or by local authorities either directly or indirectly by mapping contractors. If the latter option is adopted the question of obtaining data either from SEGIS under licence or directly from OS may arise.
6.9 To consider benefits of dissemination of the data and the format in which data should be supplied.
6.10 To examine the noise modelling software compliance standards and the use of products such as OS and Master Map.
6.11 While the cost of 'data cleaning' for the pilot area is reasonably quantifiable, scaling up for a larger study area is outwith the scope of this project. It is acknowledged that the method employed in the study area could be is unworkable when at a smaller scale (i.e. larger area) due to the amount of data cleansing to be done. It is therefore recommended that consideration is given to scaling up the costs of obtaining input data for agglomerations in Scotland.
6.12 A requirement for noise software mapping used in mapping Scotland to supply validation of calculation methods deployed in software tools.
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