A comprehensive noise study for the city of Lincoln, Nebraska

• Published in: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2006-11, Vol.120 (5_Supplement), p.3336-3336
• Main Authors: Cheenne, Dominique, Lee, Connie, Cappiello, Michael, Lalk, Sam, Martin, Coleman, Muzzy, Philip
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0001-4966; 1520-8524
• DOI: 10.1121/1.4781300

A comprehensive noise study to define the soundscape of the city of Lincoln, NE, has been undertaken by the students enrolled in the Acoustics Program at Columbia College, Chicago. The study includes (1) a global review of best practices in the field of environmental noise control using a perspective emphasizing close attention to effective and proven solutions that can be implemented via policies and effective legislation, (2) the creation of a large-scale outdoor noise propagation computer model that incorporates all primary traffic arterial and readily identifiable noise sources, (3) a comprehensive large-scale testing of noise levels using specially modified noise dosimeters allowing for determination of Leq, and Ldn over 24-h intervals, and (4) a large scale attitudinal survey of the population using a web-based survey engine that allows for the geographical location of the respondents. The results of the survey are used to refine the density of the test locations and the scale resolution of the software model, as well as to provide city and county officials with a targeted course of action pertaining to regulations and noise abatement policies. The project is expected to last 3 years with up to 1200 test locations being analyzed.