Introduction
Environmental noise arising from industry, road, rail and air traffic is an inevitable consequence of a mature and vibrant society, but it is regarded by some to be an unwelcome feature of everyday life.
Noise is subjective and different people react to it in different ways. What can cause annoyance to some people may be barely noticeable to others. Noise can have the effect of causing people to feel annoyed simply because the noise is audible. As the noise level increases it can interrupt conversation, disturb sleep and, in extreme conditions, may affect the physical well being of those affected.
The Environmental Noise Directive defines environmental noise as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial activity. The noise maps on this site relate to this environmental noise only.
As such, the noise maps provide an overview of the background, or ambient noise climate in large urban areas and from major transport sources in Northern Ireland. The maps allow for the determination of the number of people affected by different levels of noise from these environmental sources.
Noise Maps on this site
In the Maps & Tables page, noise maps for roads, rail, airports and industry in the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and major transport sources elsewhere in Northern Ireland, can be viewed interactively via a postcode-based search function.
The Policy Context
The Environmental Noise Directive requires European Member States to establish through the process of noise mapping the number of people exposed to noise levels above 55 dB(A) Lden and 50 dB(A) Lnight from major roads, major railways, major airports and in large urban areas (agglomerations). In these urban areas, noise from other significant roads, railways, aircraft movements and the largest industrial premises has been mapped, in addition to the major sources.
In Northern Ireland, the Directive is implemented through The Environmental Noise Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 
Noise Action Plans
The Environmental Noise Directive requires noise action plans to be developed on a five year rolling programme. Action plans have to be developed during 2008 for the noise sources for which maps have been produced. The action plans will seek to manage noise issues and effects from these sources including noise reduction, if necessary, and the protection of relatively quiet urban areas where they are identified.