Nearby Residential Areas Research Articles

Short‐term complaint system concerning community noise near a fossil‐fuel power station

A communication system by which local residents living near a fossil‐fuel power station could complain about the types of sounds propagating across their properties is described, as are the results of the program. This complaint system was in operation 24 hours a day for one month, during which time a consultant lived in one of the residences surrounding the station. In this way, he was situated in the same environment as the complainants and was able to make observations and measurements on a continual basis. Thirty‐one complaints were received during the monitoring period with calls coming from each of the three nearby residential areas. The 31 calls were identified to be principally due to four noise sources—high‐pressure safety valves venting steam to the atmosphere, large induction motors driving the station circulating water pumps, induced draft fans, and main power transformers.

SOME OBSERVATIONS OF NOISE AT AIRPORTS AND IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

Abstract Results of noise surveys performed at two major airports are presented, including (a) measurement of operational noise in the working areas and evaluation of potential danger to hearing, (b) audiometric data from airport employees, and (c) determination of noise in nearby residential areas. Potentially harmful noise levels were found at ground run-up, taxi, and take-off operations and in the area of engine test-cell facilities. Both jet and propeller aircraft produced annoyance noise levels in the residential areas, with jet noise being the greater problem.