Contribution
National Noise Map for Nature Reserves and Green Areas in Sweden
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Noise mapping in green areas such as natural reserves or outdoor recreation areas is challenging since sources located far away must be included for lower noise levels to estimated correctly. We used the Nord2000 noise prediction method to make a national noise map in Sweden for noise from wind turbines, larger airports, road and railway traffic at a resolution of 500 m by 500 m. We included sources up to 12 km away from the receiver (8 km for roads). In order to efficiently calculate over such large distances we utilized a database of propagation calculations instead of calculating each sound path individually. Weather influence was included using data from the ERA5 climate database. The noise map is available for download and as a web resource. The map shows that 57 % of Sweden's 5560 nature reserves had a yearly average noise level below 25 dB at more than 90 % of the reserves surface area. Approximately 16 % had a corresponding noise level over 35 dB. Road traffic noise was the dominant source in 82 % of the reserves, railway traffic in 11 % and in the remaining 7 % wind turbines or airports were dominant.