Noise mapping
Noise mapping is the mapping of noise levels from sources such as road traffic, railways, aircraft and industry. The maps typically show a yellow zone (challenging) and a red zone (unacceptable) under guideline T-1442 from Klima- og miljødepartementet (the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment). This guideline is the central steering document for how noise is handled in land-use planning.
The legal framework sits in forurensningsforskriften chapter 5 (the Norwegian pollution regulations), which implements the EU Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC). The regulations require infrastructure owners such as Statens vegvesen (the Norwegian Public Roads Administration), Bane NOR, Avinor and larger industrial plants to update strategic noise maps every five years in urban areas with more than 100,000 inhabitants and along heavily trafficked transport corridors, and then to draw up action plans to reduce the noise. The calculations follow the common European CNOSSOS-EU method and are reported with the day indicators Lden (overall day-weighted) and Lnight.
The calculation itself builds on current traffic volume or traffic forecasts 15 to 20 years ahead, combined with three-dimensional terrain and building models. The models assume standardised conditions: dry summer road surface, still air or a light wind from the noise source, and driving speed equal to the speed limit. Actual noise can therefore differ from the map, partly because car noise increases on a wet road surface and falls on snow-covered roads, and because atmospheric conditions (wind, temperature layering) change how the sound spreads.
In planning work, Miljødirektoratet (the Norwegian Environment Agency) administers the rules and publishes national noise data through Miljøstatus, while the municipalities apply the T-1442 zones in kommuneplan documents (municipal master plans) and zoning plans. Building in the red zone is as a rule incompatible with noise-sensitive use. Projects in the yellow zone can be approved with mitigating measures: a quiet side, facade insulation with indoor limit values under NS 8175, noise barriers and requirements for a shielded outdoor amenity area. A detailed noise report is normally a mandatory attachment for housing projects in exposed areas, and often forms the basis for rekkefølgebestemmelser (sequencing requirements) about noise measures.
In Placepoint, noise zone maps are shown as map layers in Noise and Pollution, so you can quickly assess the noise conditions for a property. Aircraft noise from Norwegian airports is available as a separate map layer under Pollution, but it is not switched on by default.
How the dataset is shown in the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Noise:
From Placepoint's glossary: Noise mapping
More information: Lovdata: forurensningsforskriften chapter 5, Regjeringen: guideline T-1442, Miljødirektoratet: noise
English: Noise mapping (strategic noise zoning for land-use planning).
Frequently asked questions
What is noise mapping?
Noise mapping is the mapping of noise levels from sources such as road traffic, trains, aircraft and industry. The maps show a yellow zone (limit value) and a red zone (critical level) under the T-1442 guideline.
What is T-1442?
T-1442 is the guideline from Klima- og miljødepartementet for how noise is handled in land-use planning. It sets limits for permitted noise levels for different land-use purposes and is central to housing development.
Can you build housing in noise zones?
Housing in the red zone is normally not permitted. In the yellow zone, housing can be allowed with mitigating measures such as a noise barrier, facade insulation and a quiet side. The municipality makes a case-by-case assessment.
Where do I find noise data for a property?
Noise data is available from Miljøstatus, run by Miljødirektoratet, and from Statens vegvesen, Bane NOR and Avinor. Placepoint shows noise zone maps as map layers so you can quickly assess the noise conditions for a property.
Is noise mapping required?
Yes, noise mapping is required for many building projects near noise sources. Projects in the yellow and red noise zones must carry out a detailed noise analysis as part of the planning basis.