Community noise from theme parks

Abstract

Theme and amusement parks are made to generate fun and excitement. As part of the guest experience a great amount of sound energy is often generated and it may be perceived as noise in the surrounding community. Defining outdoor noise criteria for the parks is often done for you by the local municipality zoning and building officials. Thus, one can use sound-modeling techniques to determine potential problems before the parks are built or expanded. While noise control of sound levels at the source is always desirable, there are many sources that defy their use. Thus, control of sound levels along the sound path is all that is often available. All of these concerns about theme parks will be addressed along with some suggestions on how to minimize community noise impacts. Some actual project examples will be discussed with the architectural acoustics aspects emphasized.