We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Strategy/plan

Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland:

Published
11 March 2026
From
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change
ISBN
9781806439256

This Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland covers five agglomerations (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and Glasgow) in Scotland. The Noise Action Plan sets out key objectives to support engagement and development of environmental noise policies.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Annex B – Noise maps estimated population exposure statistics

The 2022 noise maps provide an estimate of population exposure to environmental noise in Scotland, and in the five agglomerations. The Regulations specify which noise indicators and supplementary noise indicators shall be used in making the strategic noise maps, of these indicators, Lden[14] and Lnight[15] are specified by the Environmental Noise Directive. It should be noted that although referred to as population exposure, the calculation is the level of noise impinging on the exterior of a residential property. The noise experienced indoors will vary depending on how well the building protects its occupants from noise outside, and this is highly dependent on construction methods and room layout.

Table 6 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Scotland using the day-evening-night noise indicator Lden
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB Total
Major roads 119,400 73,800 54,400 18,300 2,700 268,600
All roads 721,000 337,400 163,000 45,500 9,000 1,275,900
Major railways 46,600 24,300 7,900 2,000 300 81,100
All railways 64,400 30,300 10,100 2,300 300 107,400
Scotland total population - - - - - 5,476,156
Table 7 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Scotland using the night-time noise indicator Lnight
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB Total
Major roads 91,400 60,900 31,100 5,600 600 189,600
All roads 319,500 196,100 74,600 16,200 2,200 608,600
Major railways 30,800 11,500 2,600 400 0 45,300
All railways 39,000 14,600 3,500 400 100 57,600
Scotland total population - - - - - 5,476,156
Table 8 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Aberdeen using the day-evening-night noise indicator Lden
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 2,700 2,500 2,400 1,200 200
All roads 21,800 11,700 5,900 2,000 400
Major railways 2,300 1,300 100 0 0
All railways 2,000 800 300 100 0
Airport 6,500 900 0 0 0
Industry 500 200 100 0 0
Aberdeen Agglomeration total population - - - - 208,181
Table 9 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Aberdeen using the night-time noise indicator Lnight
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 2,700 2,500 1,700 300 100
All roads 9,900 7,100 3,000 500 100
Major railways 2,100 200 0 0 0
All railways 1,100 600 200 0 0
Airport 1,000 0 0 0 0
Industry 300 200 100 0 0
Aberdeen Agglomeration total population - - - - 208,181
Table 10 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Dundee using the day-evening-night noise indicator Lden
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 3,000 1,600 2,700 600 100
All roads 18,100 7,800 5,600 1,000 200
Major railways 600 500 100 0 0
All railways 1,000 700 100 0 0
Industry 0 100 0 0 0
Dundee Agglomeration total population - - - - 157,187
Table 11 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Dundee using the night-time noise indicator Lnight
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 1,900 2,000 1,700 200 0
All roads 6,600 6,000 2,400 300 0
Major railways 600 200 0 0 0
All railways 900 200 0 0 0
Industry 0 100 0 0 0
Dundee Agglomeration total population - - - - 157,187
Table 12 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Edinburgh using the day-evening-night noise indicator Lden
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 12,500 8,500 9,900 4,600 1,200
All roads 64,300 29,800 22,400 13,100 4,300
Major railways 6,000 4,900 1,200 200 100
All railways 7,700 5,300 1,400 200 100
Airport 2,100 1,500 0 0 0
Industry 400 0 100 100 0
Edinburgh Agglomeration total population - - - - 526,750
Table 13 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Edinburgh using the night-time noise indicator Lnight
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 9,900 9,200 6,900 2,100 300
All roads 27,700 22,200 16,900 6,800 1,200
Major railways 5,600 2,100 300 100 0
All railways 6,600 2,400 400 100 0
Airport 2,800 200 0 0 0
Industry 100 0 200 0 0
Edinburgh Agglomeration total population - - - - 526,750
Table 14 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Falkirk using the day-evening-night noise indicator Lden
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 2,100 1,700 1,200 200 0
All roads 13,700 5,900 2,600 400 100
Major railways 1,200 500 100 0 0
All railways 1,800 700 100 0 0
Industry 600 100 0 0 0
Falkirk Agglomeration total population - - - - 104,523
Table 15 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Falkirk using the night-time noise indicator Lnight
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 1,600 1,600 400 100 0
All roads 5,400 3,000 800 100 0
Major railways 1,000 300 0 0 0
All railways 1,200 300 0 0 0
Industry 400 100 0 0 0
Falkirk Agglomeration total population - - - - 104,523
Table 16 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Glasgow using the day-evening-night noise indicator Lden
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 46,200 29,000 20,800 6,500 500
All roads 168,900 72,700 43,200 11,900 1,500
Major railways 20,500 9,100 4,600 1,500 200
All railways 26,800 11,800 5,600 1,800 200
Airport 6,100 0 0 0 0
Industry 1,100 600 300 0 0
Glasgow Agglomeration total population - - - - 1,131,959
Table 17 - Estimated population exposure to environmental noise in Glasgow using the night-time noise indicator Lnight
Noise Source 55-59 dB 60-64 dB 65-69 dB 70-74 dB ≥ 75 dB
Major roads 35,900 23,300 11,800 1,500 100
All roads 72,700 47,500 20,100 3,400 200
Major railways 11,900 5,700 1,900 300 0
All railways 15,300 7,000 2,400 300 0
Airport 0 0 0 0 0
Industry 900 800 0 0 0
Glasgow Agglomeration total population - - - - 1,131,959

Contact

Email: environment.protection.team@gov.scot

Back to top