Quantifying the ambient community noise environment for optimal industry siting

Abstract

Urban noise is an emerging nuisance issue for growing communities. The analysis method discussed herein can be used to industry's advantage. A road traffic noise model was developed by Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) to approximate the ambient community noise levels present within a 200 km2 project area. Road corridors that included highways, city streets, and country side-roads were modeled to evaluate the existing road traffic generated ambient noise environment. An acoustical model and US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model 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 quantification of the ambient community noise environment allowed for the identification of optimal industrial sites within the project area. Locating new facilities within urbanized areas with elevated ambient conditions promotes complementary adjacent land use and sustainable urban densification by minimizing adverse community noise impacts and reducing post-construction noise abatement costs for industry.