Noise maps showing areas that are relatively louder or quieter, measured in decibels (dB), for major railway traffic noise in Scotland in 2021. Major railways are defined as those with more than 30,000 train passages per year. The data represents the 6-hour night-time level (LAeq,6h) - the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level over a 6-hour time period (24:00-06:00).
Scottish Ministers commissioned strategic noise mapping analysis to meet the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC), which is legally implemented in Scotland thorough the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, as amended by the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018.
Noise maps are used to identify areas where noise levels are high and, by linking population data, estimate how many people are affected. This aids in the production of noise action plans to manage noise and reduce noise levels where appropriate.
