A framework for defining, quantifying and implementing a noise footprint approach

The noise footprint is emerging as a framework for assessing and communicating the impacts of noise. Although footprint terminology has been used across diverse areas of environmental acoustics research, its meaning, definition and application vary across fields. This research aims to provide a consensus-based noise footprint definition, identify the conceptual and methodological requirements that should guide future quantitative implementation and establish its basic operational characteristics. An adjusted Delphi process was conducted with a panel of 8 experts spanning two domains, namely acoustics and Life Cycle Assessment & environmental footprinting. The process combined semi-structured interviews and two rounds of questionnaires to establish consensus on the conceptual definition and quantitative characteristics of the noise footprint and thematic analysis of the collected material. The outcomes were subsequently synthesized through a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the proposed framework. In contrast to most existing noise footprint applications, the proposed framework suggests a life cycle perspective and supply chain attribution. The noise footprint is proposed, on the basis of expert consensus, as a measure for assessing and comparing noise, applicable to products and adaptable to individual and societal activities. It is best understood as a structured indicator with two levels of resolution: an emission-based level inventorying the sound energy of interconnected sources, and an impact-based level that incorporates exposure of affected receptors. The framework supports the tracing of acoustic pressures across systems, enabling the identification of impacts and shared responsibilities in noise management.