Noise mapping in accordance with the EU Environmental Noise Directive
In 2005, Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise (EU Environmental Noise Directive) was transposed into German law. According to this directive, noise pollution from main roads and railway lines in conurbations must be recorded, noise levels determined and presented in noise maps.
In a first stage in 2008, the impact of the A 4 federal motorway running through the town area was investigated in Radebeul. As this motorway had received statutory noise protection as part of the planning approval procedure as a significant change in accordance with the 16th BImSchV and no significant exceedances were identified even after checking the immissions, it was not necessary to draw up a noise action plan. The expansion of the motorway - and therefore also the noise protection measures - was carried out on the basis of the applicable legal provisions.
In the second stage of noise mapping in accordance with the EU Environmental Noise Directive, the emission values of Meißner Str. (S 82 with a length of 8.6 km), Kötzschenbrodaer Str. (with a length of 2.5 km) and parts of Kötitzer Straße (with a length of 0.8 km) were recorded in the urban area of Radebeul according to their traffic load. The other main roads in the city do not have the required traffic volume of over 3 million vehicles per year and were therefore not analysed in accordance with the provisions of the EU Environmental Noise Directive.
The required input data, such as road traffic occupancy, neighbouring buildings, number of residents, etc., were provided to the Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG). This state office coordinated the centralised mapping of all Saxon municipalities. These mapping results are now available and - in addition to being published here on the Internet - are also available for inspection by anyone at the Radebeul Municipal Administration, Technical Town Hall, Room 1.08 with Mr Queißer. It should be noted that noise maps are only calculated. They are based on (EU) standardised calculation regulations.
Noise maps are shown separately for the 24-hour day (LDEN) and for the night period (Lnight), starting at the Dresden city boundary and progressing westwards - maps 1 to 8 separately for the day and night periods. Noise levels exceeding 65 dB(A) during the day and more than 55 dB(A) at night are critical.
The Federal Railway Authority is responsible for mapping along railway lines. However, it is also the case here that noise protection precautions in accordance with the 16th BImSchV had to be provided due to the current expansion of the railway line on the basis of a planning approval. In this respect, the implementation of noise action planning is probably also unnecessary here.
The noise maps now available in the city are an important tool for localising the noise hotspots in the city and for quantifying the respective impacts - particularly with regard to noise pollution that may be hazardous to health.
As the noise mapping shows that the city is affected in this respect, it is necessary to draw up a noise action plan. The central element of the noise action plan is basically a catalogue of measures in which suitable noise reduction measures are to be compiled, evaluated and prioritised.
Measures are to be examined and prioritised on the basis of the respective (different) impact. The feasibility of the measures, their cost/benefit ratio and their financing must be examined. It must be clarified whether and which measures are suitable, necessary and sensible to apply. In Saxony, the cities and municipalities are responsible for this. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the city to carry out noise action planning.
Noise action planning is carried out with the close involvement/participation of those affected and the local population.
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