Transportation: noise action plan

6 Identification of Noise Management Areas

6.1 Noise Management Area identification ( CNMA to NMA)

The areas with CNMA status are shown in Appendix 2. A comparison of CNMA areas for Round 1and Round 2 of END are shown in Appendix 1.

Each CNMA will be reviewed to determine if it should become a Noise Management Area ( NMA). The CNMA determination process and the CNMA to NMA review process is outlined in a technical note on the Scottish Noise Mapping website ^[18] .

The CNMA to NMA review process will, amongst other steps, verify the noise model findings ^[19] and assumptions in comparison to physical features which are evident on the transport network ^[20] . The assigning of Noise Management Areas and subsequent appraisal, planning, and prioritisation of potential management measures in the NMAs form a core part of the Action Planning Process.

It should be noted that NMAs from Round 1 will continue to be NMAs during the END Round 2 period.

The total number of people exposed to road and rail noise during the day and night at Candidate Noise Management Areas has been outlined in Table 2a and 2b.

6.2 Determining noise management measures at NMAs

A transparent cost-benefit analysis will be required to determine practical, cost effective and noise management measures at NMAs. Criteria used to develop the prioritisation of actions in NMAs will cover the following:

• Identifying where most people are most likely to be annoyed by noise; this will be achieved via the prioritisation matrix (noted in Section 5).
• The options for managing noise for the affected population.
• Adoption of a whole life cost approach.
• Reviewing existing maintenance and improvement programmes to identify when and how interventions can be implemented.
• If noise management measures are needed, these will be subject to the appropriate funding being available.