Stage 5:  Analyse and report

Thorough reporting of environmental noise modelling is essential for users of the outputs to understand the reliability of the information as a basis for decision-making purposes. Important elements that the reporting must address are:

• The assessment conditions that have been chosen as the basis for the assessment and the reasoning behind the selection of these conditions.
  
  
• The input information used to describe the sources, physical environment, and propagation conditions, and how this input information relates to the chosen assessment conditions.
  
  
• Any uncertainties in the input information used for the model, how these uncertainties have been rationalised in the modelling, and the significance of their effect on the calculated values.
  
  
• The choice of algorithm used to predict noise levels and the reasoning for its choice, as well as any known limits associated with the method and assumptions incorporated in the package that implements the algorithm.
  
  
• A discussion of the output findings in comparison to any prevailing decision thresholds or limit values, including references to the propensity for varied input data or calculation uncertainties to alter this comparison, and thus the assessment outcome, as well as reporting of the potential changes in noise for other possible assessment conditions (as may be judged by prediction, knowledge of algorithm limitations, or measurement data).
  
  
• Any recommendations for further work that could be carried out to address any residual risks associated with reliance on the calculation data for decision-making purposes.