Environmental Noise Caused by Building Activities

Abstract

In The Netherlands regulations on noise of many kinds of traffic , industry, shootingranges, restaurants & bars, events are in force. Although noise originating from building sites is experienced as very bothersome there is no clear and no all-over system to limit that noise. Nowadays there is a strong movement to improve this situation. This contribution gives the backgrounds and insight in the Dutch situation. An interconnected system usable to municipalities is proposed. Means to limit the annoyance are handed over. Generally spoken an expected new system forces co-operation between contractors and authorities and make them more conscious. High levels are only admitted in situations in which authorities can argue why it is not not reasonable to ask contractors for extra reductions. However there will rest enough situations in which extreme limits are exceeded and inhabitants get the offer to leave their houses.