Design of a Noise Action Plan based on a Road Traffic Noise Map

According to European Directive 2002/49/CE, EU state members had to compile a strategic noise map no later than 30 June 2007 and a corresponding action plan no later than 18 July 2008 for all agglomerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants and for all major airports, roads and railways. A study on environmental noise was thus conducted for the city of Palma de Mallorca (Spain) using a commercial noise prediction package. The noise level assessment reveals a troublesome situation that requires an urgent noise action plan. In this report, various noise mitigation measures are analysed considering not only the reduction of noise and the number of people that can benefit from these measures, but also the net monetary benefits generated. Given the possible options, it is clear that to achieve the best long-term solution, global noise abatement measures (i.e., traffic management) and local measures (i.e., noise screens) should be combined.