Range of sound levels in the outdoor environment

Abstract

Current methods of measuring and rating noise in a metropolitan area are examined, including real-time spectrum analysis and sound-level integration, producing a single-number value representing the noise impact for each hour or each day. Methods of noise rating for metropolitan areas are reviewed, and the various measures from multidimensional rating methods such as the Composite Noise Rating are examined, along with the trend towards single-number rating schemes. The reliability of the various noise-measurement and evaluation methods is discussed in terms of planning needs.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the conference on metropolitan physical environment

Citation

Goodfriend, Lewis S. 1977. Range of sound levels in the outdoor environment. In: Heisler, Gordon M.; Herrington, Lee P., eds. Proceedings of the conference on metropolitan physical environment; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-25. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 172-182