Reports
Research for a Quieter Environment
CALM Press Release, Jan. 11, 2002
As a step towards creating a quieter environment the European Commission is preparing a Directive on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise. To support the transposition of this Directive and the further development of EU noise policy, the recently created "CALM" network will define a strategy plan for future noise research that will be required to promote EU wide noise reduction and thereby improve the quality of life for the citizens of Europe.
Within the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities, the European Commission has supported the creation of a new thematic network called "CALM". The aim of this network is to establish a Community Noise Research Strategy Plan. This plan will identify strategies for future research that will be designed to promote EU wide noise reduction.
At the present time there exist several EU directives relating to the limitation of the noise emission from vehicles, aircrafts and machinery. Furthermore, a new directive on the assessment and management of environmental noise is in the final stage of preparation. To support the implementation and future continuation of the directives, the CALM network will establish strategic research needs in the fields of noise emission (with special focus on noise caused by road traffic, railway transport, aircraft and outdoor machinery), noise propagation, noise exposure and the adverse effects of noise, particularly in urban areas. The involvement of research institutions and all interest organisations in the development of the strategic research plan will help to take into account the needs of the public and the administration, the existing knowledge of the scientists, the theoretical potentials for noise reduction and the feasible technologies.
The network was started on Oct. 1, 2001 and will continue work for three years. The co-ordinator of the network is AVL List GmbH located in Graz, Austria. Members of the CALM network are experts from various member states that support the EU Commission with the preparation and implementation of the new noise policy.
To increase awareness of community noise issues in the public, this interactive web site was installed.
Contacts
AVL List GmbH:
Josef Affenzeller (josef.affenzeller@avl.com)
European Commission:
Per Kruppa (per.kruppa@cec.eu.int)
