OptiLAP - Evaluation and Optimization of Noise Action Plans
The project is defined to analyze local authorities' experiences made with noise actions plans (according to the Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 June 2002) and to give suggestions for the 2nd round of noise maps and actions plans 2012 and 2013 of the EU Directive on environmental noise.
The work package we are involved in deals with the analysis of the visualization of noise used for public participation and will give suggestions for the design of target group oriented noise maps. A numerical description of noise has shown to be insufficient for citizens to understand this complex phenomenon. Noise maps have generally proven of value but they sometimes cause comprehension problems. On the basis of expert interviews with cartographers, information designers and an analysis of noise maps used for public participation we will work out examples for enhanced noise maps.
The project is funded by the federal environmental agency (Umweltbundesamt). Our partners are Lärmkontor GmbH, konsalt GmbH, Wölfel Meßsysteme Software GmbH + Co. KG and Umweltcampus Birkenfeld, University of Applied Sciences Trier.
Our final report of the OptiLAP project has been published by the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA):
