ADR-011: Claim language (exposure, discomfort, risk)

• Status: Accepted
• Date: 2026-07-17

Context

Open question #11. Unsupported health/risk claims are a major programme risk.

Decision

• Prefer precise acoustic terms: e.g. LAeq,T, level ranges, sample counts, tier.
• Discomfort only when referring to subjective survey responses.
• Avoid acoustic risk, health harm, or regulatory exposure compliance claims for crowd data.
• “Quieter journey” is comparative within the dataset’s limits, with uncertainty shown.

Consequences

Public map and press copy require review against this ADR; see risk register.

Links: ../08-risk-register.md; ../research/02-acoustic-methodology.md.