Acoustical modeling for site evaluation

The positioning of building complexes that are noise sensitive (hospitals) or noise producing (factories) on a new site or changing patterns of land use around the site can result in uncertain noise exposures. Analytical or computer‐based procedures for estimates of noise are useful, but limited. Acoustical scale modeling provides immediate predictions of changes in noise exposure as the positions of buildings, roadways, land profile, and other features are changed. The RANN program of NSF has sponsored MIT to develop an acoustical modeling system usable by engineering groups, environmental agencies, and developmental organizations. A prototype system has been developed and used in field/laboratory comparisons of sound propagation at various sites on the MIT campus. We are now in a “user experience” phase of the program, in which three organizations representative of prospective user groups will be provided systems for their evaluation. As a result of this user feedback, we hope to be able to provide a mo...