Model development for traffic noise annoyance prediction

The main purpose of Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) and noise control studies over the world is to reduce noise annoyance, however, the implementation is focused on reducing solely noise levels. Dose-effect relationships provided by European Commission, linking noise indicators to annoyance levels, are only portraying the situation in several countries. In dose–effect relationships, social, psychological or economic factors, are far more important than acoustic or physical factors. Moreover, many studies have shown that the indicators used do not reflect many aspects of annoyance. A more efficient and accurate way to determine annoyance might be to eliminate noise indicators and to create local models which use all the information collected for noise mapping as input, and provide annoyance levels as a direct output. To that end, this study is presents an approach for developing road traffic noise annoyance prediction models, which can be used by local authorities, taking into account social aspects, characteristics of traffic and urban development. These models would also provide cost effective action plans, because they help to understand the factors which directly affect annoyance levels. In this study, the methodology of this approach is explained and an implementation in Istanbul, Turkey is presented.