The role of noise events in noise research, policy and practice (peaks, events or both...)

Commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment RIVM organized an expert meeting about reaction to sudden noise, and the way peak noise is dealt with in science, policy and practice. The aim was to exchange knowledge and ideas and formulate recommendations about situations with sudden high noise levels. Examples were presented from theory and practice, pertaining to roadand air traffic, high speed trains and impulse noise from pile driving and shooting. Acoustic aspects and moderating factors were discussed, such as unpredictability; trust in the government and expectations about future exposures. The main conclusion was that in most cases available noise-effect relations based on average weighted measures (Lden, Lnight) can be used. Additional indicators are primarily needed to better communicate with the public on the impact of peak events; noise exposure levels, where possible and relevant, should be presented to the public in understandable measures such as events, duration and quality as well as the effects of interventions. When not communicated well, the number of complainants and percentage of highly annoyed will be high irrespective of the exact noise levels. This paper presents the highlights of the workshop, and more recent findings in relation to military air traffic and the role of peak levels on registry based health effects.