Comparative analysis of methods to evaluate urban noise exposure

The dissemination of strategic noise maps at European scale should enable to compare population noise exposure in each Member State, but unfortunately different methods were used so far. This paper will focus on sources of uncertainty in the noise exposure assessment depending on both the method applied to calculate noise levels at receivers and the procedure to assign these levels to buildings and to inhabitants in each building. Results show some crucial aspects worth to be further analysed as they have large followup. In particular, the choice of the method should consider the aim of the study before assigning noise levels as large inaccuracies can lead to action plans less efficient at least in the economical resource allocation. The method of considering only the maximum level at the building façade is suitable for dissemination to the public but it is not adequate for epidemiological studies or action plans.