Speech communication in outdoor learning environments

Abstract

Newton Central School (NCS) celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Its noise environment has evolved significantly over that time and is now dominated by road-traffic noise from the adjacent State Highway 16. Master planning for the redevelopment of NCS, to enable the school roll to be more than doubled, necessitates consideration of how noise emissions to the site can best be minimised and managed, particularly for outdoor learning areas. The transmission of road traffic noise across the site (up to 2043) is predicted and the methodology is detailed. The use of the local topography, locations, and arrangement of buildings and open space, and zoning of different types of outdoor activity to both mitigate and manage transmission is explored. The resultant levels of ambient noise achieved through different mitigation options are discussed via comparison with different sources of published design criteria for outdoor learning and other activities within open spaces. The results are also considered in terms of a signal-to-noise relationship. The relative benefits of reductions in noise for the end user/stakeholder are clarified with reference to the likely subjective perception of comparative changes in noise level. The application of lessons learned and the potential for further study are investigated.