Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

69 Chapter 3: Environmental Noise Topic Box 3.1  Airport noise: monitoring system The WebTrak Flight Monitoring System 8 is a web- based service that monitors and provides information on flights and noise levels related to aircraft using Dublin Airport. It offers near-real-time information on flight origin and destinations, aircraft types, altitudes and flight paths, and noise levels registered at Dublin Airport’s noise monitoring terminals. The system also provides a simplified way for members of the public to monitor flights and submit noise complaints. Users can identify their location by Eircode or on the map provided and view related flight data. The automated noise complaint system supplements existing electronic, telephone and postal options. Managing rail and aircraft noise Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail is in the process of designing for increasing capacity on the rail network in Ireland. At present, three railway order applications are under consideration by An Bord Pleanála, for DART+ West, DART+ South West and infrastructural improvements on the Cork-Middleton line. Railway order applications are essentially a combined planning application and compulsory purchase application and are subject to environmental assessment. 9 To prevent future noise issues arising, the implications for noise impacts and its mitigation using best international practice should be an important factor in the design and development of these infrastructure projects. Project owners should also consult with and take into consideration the relevant noise action plans within which the rail infrastructure resides. The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) 10 is an independent directorate within Fingal County Council and is the designated competent authority in Ireland for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 (Aircraft Noise Regulation). ANCA has a remit to monitor and, where appropriate, make decisions and conditions for the management of aircraft noise at Dublin Airport using the balanced approach of the International Civil Aviation Organization. 8 Process of lodging a complaint on WebTrak (dublinairport.com) (accessed 24 April 2024). 9 Environmental impact assessment report rail information: www.dartplus.ie/en-ie/railwayorder/dartwest; www.dartplus.ie/ en-ie/railwayorder/dart-south-west-railway-order; gmttrailwayorder.ie/; www.fingal.ie/aircraftnoiseca; www.metrolinkro.ie/ (accessed 24 April 2024). 10 www.fingal.ie/aircraftnoiseca (accessed 24 April 2024). ANCA publishes annual noise monitoring reports on its website together with noise contour maps that display the evolving aircraft noise impact on the communities around Dublin Airport. Maps for 2023 are available from ANCA that cover the first full year of operation of the new north runway, following the commencement of operations in September 2022. Fingal County Council is responsible for developing the Dublin Airport Noise Action Plan. This plan is designed to manage noise issues and effects associated with Dublin Airport and, where necessary and practical, present measures to reduce the adverse effects of aviation noise. 5. Outlook for noise policy and mitigation measures Noise in the Zero Pollution Action Plan Reducing the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% is the EU-wide target for 2030 under the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan (EC, 2021). However, the EEA’s transport noise outlook for 2030 estimates that noise pollution is unlikely to decrease significantly (EEA, 2022b). Under an optimistic scenario that includes the implementation of a large set of ambitious measures, the number of people highly annoyed by transport noise is predicted to decline by about 19% by 2030. Under a less ambitious scenario, the number of people affected by noise is predicted to increase by 3%. The best practice case studies contained in the European Commission’s Phenomena study demonstrate how measures such as reducing traffic speed limits, redesigning roadways, creating low-noise- emission zones or retrofitting trains with quiet brakes and pads can contribute towards the aims of the 2030 zero pollution objectives. Road noise remains the largest source of negative health effects due to noise exposure across Europe and is likely to be the focus for noise mitigation actions in the coming years. According to the EEA, low-noise tyres and pavements should be further promoted, as increased demand for such products will also encourage tyre manufacturers and road contractors to innovate and make them available (EEA, 2022b).