New stakes and challenges for transport noise observatories, Case studies for Acoucité, skills cluster for French Metropolises

Abstract

Founded in 1996, at the initiative of research centers and Metropolises, Acoucité is the first independent structure, a non-profit association, entirely dedicated to the observation of transport noise. It supports a dozen noise observatories based on: - Acoustic measurement networks; - Noise maps complying with European standards; - Perception surveys. This article presents the new regulatory, technological and ethical challenges that noise observatories must meet, and in particular those related to: - New technologies and their articulation with regulations on the protection of personal data (when using artificial intelligence for acoustic recognition from recordings); - Work on noise cameras in order to fine abnormally noisy vehicles; - New indicators characterizing event noise, which will soon enter the regulations; - Regulations (LOM) that define noise not as an annoyance but as a pollution; - Health issues of noise (as a pollution) through the health impacts documented by the WHO (guideline for Europe, 2018); - Cross-consideration of environmental pollution (noise and air quality). Observatories must indeed contribute to a better knowledge and understanding of these emerging issues by relying on the scientific community.