Source characterization guidelines for noise mapping of port areas

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Acoustics
• Maritime Studies

Background:

• Maritime transport's increasing volume raises concerns about sustainability and environmental impact, particularly noise pollution in port areas.
• Citizen complaints regarding port noise highlight a need for better management and prevention strategies.
• Limited literature on specific port noise sources and measurement difficulties hinder effective noise control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a guideline for characterizing noise sources in ports.
• To provide essential inputs for creating noise maps in accordance with the Environmental Noise Directive.
• To support port management in reducing citizens' noise exposure while accommodating traffic growth.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing the current state of the art in port noise source characterization.
• Developing a standardized procedure for identifying and quantifying noise from various port activities.
• Categorizing noise sources, including ships (stationary and moving), mooring, loading/unloading operations, industrial activities, and land transport (road and rail).

Main Results:

• A comprehensive guideline for characterizing diverse port noise sources has been established.
• The developed procedure facilitates the creation of accurate noise maps for ports.
• The methodology addresses the complexity of mixed sound emitters within port environments.

Conclusions:

• The guideline is a crucial first step towards aligning ports with the Environmental Noise Directive.
• Noise mapping, supported by this guideline, offers an effective tool for managing and reducing port noise pollution.
• This work supports sustainable maritime transport by providing a framework for noise mitigation in busy port areas.