Quantifying the ambient community noise environment for optimal industry siting

Abstract

A road traffic noise model was developed to approximate the ambient noise levels present within a 200 km2 urban center. Road corridors that included highways, city streets, and country side-roads with varying traffic volumes were modeled to evaluate the existing ambient conditions within the project area. To calculate noise levels, an acoustical model and Traffic Noise Model (TNM) calculation standard was used to account for a variety of real-world variables such as daily average traffic counts, turning counts, speed limits, road composition, elevation, road width, and traffic composition. The model generated noise contours that were used to identify areas of elevated ambient noise levels within the project area that may prove suitable for a medium-sized industrial facility. This modeling technique and ambient community noise analysis allowed for the identification of an optimal site within the project area and also proved to be an approach that can be used to industry’s advantage. Urban noise is an emerging issue for growing communities. Locating new facilities within urbanized areas with elevated ambient conditions may minimize community noise impacts, reduce post-construction noise abatement costs, and ultimately promote complementary adjacent land use and sustainable urban densification.