Novel approach to community noise monitoring

Abstract

Numerous small cities and towns in New Jersey have been preparing Natural Resource Inventories (NRI). These NRI's document the present environmental, sociological, historical, and other facets, of the communities' quality of life. One parameter in the NRI is sound quality. A comprehensive survey to document sound levels in residential, commercial, industrial, and other land-use areas is necessary. The cost to accomplish these surveys using sophisticated equipment and trained personnel can be quite prohibitive. This is especially true if the community is large. In three New Jersey communities an alternate approach was used. Through a series of public meetings, community residents were made aware of the NRI and particularly the sound quality aspects. Volunteers were trained in the use of sound level meters and a simple measurement procedure similar to the SAE method for measuring construction site noise. The data resulting from measurement made by the volunteers allowed a mapping of sound levels in the community. The mapping provides guidance to planners and may aid in the development of a national community noise ordinance sensitive to the existing sound quality of the township. Typical results are presented for one township, in New Jersey. [Work supported by EPA.]