"noise maps" of cities in Europe?

["oryoki2000" <>]

The current issue of Wired Magazine (May 2004, p.64) has a brief note
about a European Union mandate to develop "noise maps."  Reportedly
all European cities with population over 250,000 are required to
produce maps showing decibel sound pressure levels by 2007.

Can anyone provide additional information about this?  Is the goal to
create a baseline of sound levels for future comparison, or is action
expected on the basis of these measurements?  Is there a recommended
methodology for data collection?

--oryoki





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