Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

62 Chapter 3: Environmental Noise Environmental noise and exposure modelling data for major transport sources In Ireland, road traffic, particularly inside urban areas, is the predominant source of transport noise (EEA, 2021a). Results from round 4 noise mapping indicate that approximately 41% of the total population living in the three urban areas of Dublin, Cork and Limerick were exposed to noise levels above the END mandatory reporting threshold of ≥ 55 dB L den from road traffic noise, while the preliminary data would suggest that approximately 53% were exposed to road traffic noise above the 53 dB L den WHO guideline level. Of those people living outside these areas, approximately 22% of the total population living in the mapped areas were exposed to a noise level of ≥ 55 dB L den (the END reporting threshold) from road transport noise. In noise modelling for round 4 mapping, the estimated number of people in the areas modelled exposed to noise levels above the mandatory reporting thresholds for road traffic set in the EU regulations was just over 1.03million (L den ). This figure is comprised of approximately 690,000 people for all roads in the three urban areas listed above and approximately an additional 343,000 in major roads elsewhere nationwide. In Ireland, an estimated 1,326,000 people are exposed to road traffic noise from major roads above the WHO guidance levels of 53dB L den. This preliminary data includes 885,000 people in Cork, Dublin and Limerick and an additional 441,000 people outside these cities. Table 3.1 shows the numbers of people exposed to road traffic at the different noise level bands, as modelled for Dublin, Cork and Limerick (L den ). Table 3.1  Number of people in dwellings in Cork, Dublin and Limerick exposed to road traffic noise – L den Cork Dublin Limerick Noise level (dB) L den All roads (No. people) Major roads (No. people) All roads (No. people) Major roads (No. people) All roads (No. people) Major roads (No. people) 53-54 23,300 13,400 160,000 88,900 11,400 8300 55-59 50,200 22,900 287,400 151,000 24,500 13,600 60-64 32,800 10,900 160,500 78,800 13,100 5000 65-69 10,400 5800 78,700 53,600 4700 2800 70-74 1700 1600 23,100 20,700 600 600 ≥ 75 300 300 2500 2400 0 0 Total number of people exposed to noise above 55 a 95,400 41,500 552,200 306,500 42,900 22,000 Total number of people exposed to noise above 53 b 118,700 54,900 712,200 395,400 54,300 30,300 Total population 219,287 219,287 1,355,968 1,355,968 101,029 101,029 Proportion (above 55) a 44% 19% 41% 23% 42% 22% Proportion (above 53) b 54% 25% 53% 29% 54% 30% Note: Exposure statistics rounded to the nearest 100. a EU reporting threshold (END). b WHO guideline level (as road traffic noise above 53 dB L den can be associated with adverse health effects).