Proudly offering nationwide surveys and shipping for the UK
Call: 01473 396 332 Email: [email protected]
Request a call backEnvironmental Noise Modelling
Environmental noise modelling as a tool in impact assessments
At Sound Solution Consultants (SSC) we use environmental noise modelling (or noise mapping as its sometimes known) as a tool in impact assessments. These are normally attempted where there is benefit in assessing complex scenarios, numerous sources and/or receivers, or simply to illustrate the emission from a sound source or on a receptor.
We maintain the latest version of IMMI at SSC and commonly provide environmental noise models in accordance with the following methods:
- ISO 9613 for general use and commercial and/or industrial development
- Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) for highways development
- BS 5228 for construction
- Noise exposure in workrooms
We have the facility to upgrade our capability on noise modelling if other sources or models may be required in any application.
The pro’s and con’s of noise modelling
Noise modelling, like any technical model in science and mathematics, is dependent on the user to generate valid estimates using quality input data. The garbage-in-garbage-out (GIGO) scenario applies to modelling, because the software will only generate what the user tells it to do (and if the input data is nonsense, then the output will be nonsense!).
Certain models can also be quite time-consuming to produce, say, if considering a very large area of land or numerous sources with complex interactions with model object and the environment. At SSC we generally limit the scale of modelling to moderate objects quantities required to generate the necessary detail from any environmental noise model.
We normally use Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping suppliers for baseline imagery to include building locations and land heights which is normally suitable for an engineering estimate. However, this information can sometimes be inaccurate when considering the exacting land point or height of a building therefore we often update models to reflect Topographical Survey information, where available.