H5: Exposure to transport noise
Short Description
This indicator will track changes in the exposure of people to noise from transportation sources. It does not include neighbour and neighbourhood noise. The indicator will show the estimated number of people exposed to noise levels (in 5 decibel bands) from the most significant road, rail and air sources. Health costs (and hence burden to the economy) of noise can be estimated from health outcomes associated with noise exposure (such as annoyance, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular effects). The available data being explored for this indicator’s development are currently derived through strategic noise mapping undertaken at 5-year intervals. In the future, data will be derived from Defra’s new noise modelling system.
Readiness and links to data
This indicator is not available for reporting in a finalised form in 2024. An interim indicator is presented here using the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities Public Health Outcomes Framework Indicator B14b and B14c. The data is derived from the mapping of 3 separate sources of transport noise; road, rail and air, with noise measured in decibels (dB), a unit used to measure the intensity of sound on a logarithmic scale. This can be weighted to reflect the non-linear response of average human hearing measured in dB(A).
Exposure to noise has been determined by strategic noise mapping of each source and overlaid on a residual population dataset to determine the number of people exposed down to an authority level. This does mean that an individual exposed to more than one source will be included more than once in the overall total. The level of exposure is calculated for sources greater than 65dB(A) LAeq,16hr during the daytime and 55dB(A) LAeq,8hr during the night-time. LAeq,t is the equivalent continuous sound level in dB(A), over the t=16 hour period 07:00-23:00 hours or t=8 hour period from 23:00-07:00 for the daytime and night-time respectively.
The model for producing this data and additional noise exposure data for Defra is in development as part of a wider programme of work. New metrics will be incorporated from this model once ready, allowing a greater level of detail of noise exposure and the impacts to be established. Prototype development began in 2021, focussing initially on a small-scale geographical pilot to refine technical approach before subsequent expansion to full-scale national level modelling. The model more accurately depicts the soundscape of the nation by mapping every public road and railway at 10m resolution. It enables health and biodiversity impacts to be assessed, the potential for soundscape and tranquil areas evaluations and much more. It is modular, meaning it is resilient and future-proofed allowing the benefits to be reaped for many years to come in a sustainable and consistent manner. Data for noise exposure are published.
While the currently available data predate the 25 Year Environment Plan, they provide the most recently available assessment of noise exposure. They enable a better understanding of a baseline from which to measure progress towards the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan when the indicator is next updated.
Indicator components
Table H5: Percentage of people exposed to road, rail and air transport noise in England, 2016
| Year | Percentage of population exposed to transport noise above 55dB(A) - night-time | Percentage of population exposed to transport noise above 65dB(A) - daytime |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8.48 | 5.50 |
Trend description for H5
In 2016, the percentage of the population exposed noise from road, rail and air transport that exceeded 65dB(A) LAeq,16hr during the daytime was 5.5%. While a greater percentage of the population was exposed to a level of transport noise higher than 55dB(A) LAeq,8hr, at 8.48%.
Assessment of change
No assessment of change was undertaken for this indicator as a suitable time series is not yet available in the Outcome Indicator Framework.