Spectral information in noise-mapping: An exploratory study

Abstract

International standards such as ISO 1996 and ISO 717 as well as noise regulations in several countries are increasingly relying on spectral information in order to assess the acoustical behavior of materials and structures and the effects of noise on people. Nevertheless, the new European Union Directive on the assessment and management of environmental noise reinforces the A-weighted equivalent level (with appropriate night and evening corrections) as the preferred indicator for noise mapping. Considering that noise maps are a powerful zoning and planning resource, the idea of reporting the mean spectrum of noise at each selected location at different times is proposed and thoroughly justified. Arguments in favor of its feasibility are given, showing that, in spite of the widespread opinion, costs and required time may be reduced considerably by the use of low-priced, new-technology auxiliary equipment. Then an exploratory study is reported, in which (a) the spectrum of traffic noise in Rosario (Argentina) is compared with the internationally standardized traffic noise spectrum, and (b) the noise spectrum at an open street is compared with the noise spectrum at a street with a U-profile owing to the same vehicles.