Real-time noise levels now available through online map

An upgraded National Noise Information System map shows noise levels across the country in real time. GETTYIMAGEBANK

By Ko Dong-hwan

Screen capture from noiseinfo.or.kr

Real-time noise monitoring in Korea, previously only available in tabulated text form, can now be viewed on an online map that shows the intensity using color coding.

The new noise tracking website by the National Noise Information System (noiseinfo.or.kr) opened Thursday. It is an upgraded version of the system operated under the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environment Corporation.

The map uses data from 2,005 noise monitors nationwide, 844 of which are managed by the ministry and the rest by local governments.

Among those under the ministry's control, 152 are at especially noisy spots. That includes 90 monitors in areas around the country's 14 airports and 62 monitors in populous areas including Seoul's Itaewon-dong in Yongsan District and Apgujeong-dong in Gangnam District.

The map indicates noise from automobiles, trains and other ordinary sources in dB(A) (A-weighted decibels); airplanes and other airport sounds in WECPNL (weighted equivalent continuous perceived noise level), and roads in dB(V) (decibel voltage).

They are categorized into seven groups, with the lowest "zero" decibels and the highest "73-plus" decibels. Each group has a color ― grey, cobalt blue, sky blue, green, yellow, orange and red in order of loudness.

The map automatically updates to show noise levels across the country.

The Framework Act on Environmental Policy under the ministry enforces seven noise standards for different uses, covering ecologically preserved areas, residential areas, factory-concentrated areas, and those within 50 meters of a school, library or general hospital.

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