PLANNING FOUNDATIONS
2.6 Summary of noise assessment values based on immission values

The following table 2/2 gives an outline of a systematic noise assessment based on immission values using the example of important noise protection areas:

Table 2/2: Summary of important guide, limit and orientation values in dB(A)

The field of immission control (or installation-oriented neighbourhood protection) is represented in table 2/2 by the Technical Instructions on Noise (TA Lärm), which determine immission guide values. As for the construction and major alteration of transport routes, the immission limit values defined in the Traffic Noise Ordinance (16th Federal Immission Control Ordinance) are to be applied, whereas the field of city planning refers to the acoustic reference values in Supplement 1 to DIN 18005-1. The Traffic Noise Protection Guideline (VLärmSchR 97) treats noise abatement at existing roads (acoustic treatment measures).

More details on the above-mentioned ordinances and guidelines can be found in chapters 3, 4 and 5. Chapter 5 also treats the immission values in the Ordinance on the Prevention of Noise from Sports Facilities (18th Federal Immission Control Ordinance) as well as those in the Guideline for Leisure Noise, which are not considered in table 2/2.

As for the assessment of immission guide values, the 18th Federal Immission Control Ordinance especially considers defined resting periods or time blocks. They are not contained in table 2/2 for reasons of clarity. What the frequently used regulations considered in table 2/2 have in common is a differentiated assessment for day and night, with the daytime period lasting from 6 am to 10 pm and the nighttime period from 10 pm to 6 am.

All specified immission guide, limit and orientation values refer to a comparison with the determined rating levels (i.e. the average level over a particular time period defined by the regulation including additions and deductions).

The acoustic reference values in DIN 18005-1 (Supplement 1) can be applied to different types of sound sources relevant in the context of urban development. The individual rating levels from traffic, industrial, commercial and leisure noise require a separate comparison with the reference values.

The lower nighttime values refer to industrial, commercial and leisure noise as well as to noise from comparable public enterprises. The reference values are to be applied to the borders of the concerned building areas of each type of area. What finally counts are the prescribed values of the relevant regulations and ordinances, which generally define stricter requirements even if the limit values initially appear the same.

The allocation of area types to the corresponding protection categories in accordance with Supplement 1 to DIN 18005-1 differs from other regulations in the following points:

• Core areas (MK) are not classed with mixed areas but with commercial areas.
• DIN 18005 additionally considers special residential areas (WB), weekend home, holiday home and camping site areas as well as cemeteries, allotment gardens and parks.