Review of the Implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC on Environmental Noise
Project Tasks
The project is broken down into three main tasks: a review of implementation; and inventory of measures; and an impact assessment and Action Plan proposal.
The project tasks and sub-tasks have been distributed between the project team on the basis of the specific capacities and experiences of the different partners. A lead partner has already been assigned for each of the five tasks, and this lead will be responsible for the internal coordination of sub-tasks under that task. The assignment of tasks between the project partners is shown below.
| Project Task | Lead Partner |
|---|---|
| Review of implementation | Milieu |
| Inventory of potential measures | TNO |
| Impact assessment and Action Plan proposal | RPA |
Task 1: Review of Implementation
Milieu is leading task 1 with RPA and TNO making substantial contributions to specific sub-tasks. In particular, RPA and TNO have contributed to pilot testing the questionnaire and to contacting Member States in order to supplement the information provided in response to the questionnaire survey. The 27 Member States have already been divided amongst the partners on the basis of language capacities and existing contacts. Each partner will establish contact with the Member States allocated to them, request additional information and materials as appropriate, and draft the chapters on implementation in those Member States.
Task 2: Inventory of potential measures
TNO is leading this task, with contributions from RPA and Milieu. The main objective of this task is to draw up a comprehensive inventory of potential realistic policies and measures.
With regards to the methodology for task 2, the team is undertaking a comprehensive literature review. The review includes peer reviewed scientific publications, research reports (e.g. EU- projects), as well as publications by WHO, EU and Member States on the management of environmental noise that have been published since 2000. The CALM project database, a thorough inventory of research projects on environmental noise, has been used as a starting point for this literature review. Relevant technical reports and scientific publications are also being critically reviewed in order to identify potential measures and possible gaps. Also, measures related to sources of noise implemented already or under investigation will be identified and reviewed. This review includes, per source of pollution, the potential impact of individual measures on exposure to noise and the related health effects, the cost estimates (when available), conditions on the application and factors affecting the potential of the measures. In addition, other relevant policies that may influence exposure to environmental noise will be reviewed.
Task 3: Impact assessment and Action Plan proposal
RPA is leading this task, in close collaboration with the other two partners. RPA will collate and interpret the results from the consultation in order to develop a problem tree and will assess the impacts of the Directive, in line with the EU impact assessment guidelines.
The key challenges under this task relate to the availability of information, particularly on the specific costs and benefits of measures to reduce noise.
This project is being delivered by a consortium consisting of Milieu Ltd, Risk and Policy Analysis Ltd. and TNO. The lead organisation is Milieu Ltd., with RPA providing input on policy and impact assessment and TNO providing technical expertise on noise control measures.