With the support of the European Commission, the CALM thematic network has been created, aimed at promoting and coordinating Community noise research. Launched in October 2001, it will operate for three years and will base its final plan on reports generated by expert noise working groups and in co-operation with relevant industrial sectors, research institutions and interested organisations.

Special emphasis will be placed on noise caused by road traffic, railway transport, aircraft and outdoor machinery, but the network will also be concerned with the related issues of noise propagation, noise exposure, and understanding the adverse effects of noise, especially in cities.

The CALM network coordinator is Josef Affenzeller of AVL List GmbH in Austria and according to Affenzeller, "The basic idea is to create a strategy plan for Community noise research, to help make the vision of a quieter Europe a reality.

"The new legislation," says Affenzeller, "will also have an impact on rural areas, checking the noise emitted by road transport, trains, aeroplanes and a variety of outdoor machinery, from machinery used in construction right down to lawn mowers."

CALM Network