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Noise pollution mapping approach and accuracy on landscape scales
Carlos Iglesias Merchan1, Luis Diaz-Balteiro
1Departamento de Proyectos y Planificación Rural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, EUIT Forestal, C. Ramiro de Maeztu s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. carlos.iglesias@upm.es
The Science of the Total Environment
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Optimizing grid size in noise mapping enhances accuracy and efficiency for environmental assessments in natural parks. This study demonstrates how adaptable mapping resolutions balance cost and decision-making needs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Acoustics
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Background:
- Strategic noise mapping is mandated in the EU for assessing noise pollution.
- Existing human exposure methods may not be optimal for large natural park areas.
- Optimizing mapping grid size is crucial for efficient environmental variable assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare 15 models with varying grid sizes for landscape-scale road traffic noise mapping.
- To assess the accuracy of noise mapping in a natural park setting.
- To explore the relationship between grid resolution, accuracy, and computational cost.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 15 different grid sizes for noise mapping models.
- Assessed mapping accuracy using noise and landscape indicators.
- Evaluated performance in the Manzanares High River Basin Regional Park, Spain.
Main Results:
- Achieved varying accuracy levels (Kappa index 0.725–0.987) based on terrain and noise source characteristics.
- Demonstrated that grid size significantly impacts noise mapping accuracy and calculation time.
- Identified a trade-off between mapping resolution, accuracy, and resource allocation.
Conclusions:
- Noise mapping grid resolution can be optimized for natural parks.
- Adaptable mapping strategies balance accuracy, time, and cost for decision-makers.
- This approach is valuable for environmental noise assessment and other environmental variables.
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