Standard Guide for Applying Environmental Noise Measurement Methods and Criteria

Importancia y uso:

4.1 Evaluation of Environmental Noise—Environmental noise is evaluated by comparing a measurement or prediction of the noise to one or more criteria. There are many different criteria and ways of measuring and specifying noise, depending on the purpose of the evaluation. Some evaluations are limited to determining compliance with existing regulations or ordinances. Others are done in the absence of such requirements or to supplement regulatory evaluations where the regulations do not address fully or at all the issues of concern.

4.2 Selection of Criteria—This guide provides information useful in selecting the appropriate criteria and measurement method to evaluate noise. In making the selection, the user should consider the following: regulatory or legal requirements for the use of a specific criterion; purpose of the evaluation (regulatory compliance, compatibility, activity interference, aesthetics, comfort, annoyance, health effects, hearing damage, etc.); types of data that are available or could be available (A-weighted, octave band, average level, maximum level, day-night level, calibrated recordings including .wav files from which various measurements could be made, etc.); and available budget for instrumentation and manpower to obtain that data. After selecting a measurement method, the user should consult appropriate references for more detailed guidance (1).7

4.3 Objective versus Subjective Evaluations—This guide discusses objective sound criteria based on measurements and regulations based on such. Some local noise ordinances are based solely or partially on subjective judgements of noise. Enforcement of these can be easily challenged and, in some jurisdictions, they are not permitted. These are not further considered in this guide. One way to address such situations is to evaluate the sound based on reasonable objective criteria.

4.4 Soundscape Methodology—The overall sound environment as perceived outdoors is often called a soundscape. Soundscapes have both objective (quantitative) and subjective (qualitative) attributes. A soundscape evaluation methodology is evolving which includes methods and criteria that rely extensively on qualitative factors, both acoustical and non-acoustical, while including requirements for quantitative sound measurement. Two basic tenets of quantitative soundscape measurements are that the ambient sound at a location is comprised of a combination of specific acoustic events that can be measured individually and in combinations; and that the sounds should be measured using methods that represent the ways in which they are perceived by people. Development of such measurement methods specifically for soundscape studies is a part of ongoing research and is not specifically discussed in this document.

Subcomité:

E33.09

Referida por:

C0634-22, E1503-22

Volúmen:

04.06

Número ICS:

17.140.01 (Acoustic measurements and noise abatement in general)

Palabras clave:

community noise; environmental noise; noise; noise assessment; noise criteria; noise evaluation; noise level measurement; noise metrics ;