FACTORS AFFECTING OUTDOOR ACOUSTICS

• Temperature

o sound tends to bend towards the cooler temperature

o on a clear, calm day when warmer air is near the ground, sound tends to bend upwards

o on a clear, calm night when cooler air is near the ground, sound bends downwards

• Wind

o downwind from the source, sound is normally bent towards the ground, increasing its
sound level

o upwind from the source, sound is normally directed upwards causing a shadow zone
where the sound level will be reduced

• Clouds and Rain

o if heavy with impending rain, clouds can act as a reflective surface

o light, cloudy skies can act as an absorptive surface

• Bodies of Water

o when calm, can also act as a reflective surface

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS FOR NOISE CONTROL

• Vegetation

o Trees and vegetation are normally NOT effective as noise control barriers. It is because
attenuation from trees is mainly due to branches and leaves, which is why sound energy
near the ground will not be significantly reduced.

o Deciduous trees will provide almost no attenuation during the months when their leaves
have fallen.

o A single row of trees has no value as an acoustical barrier. Thin planting of trees can
provide visual, but not acoustical shielding.

o Many rows of trees have some value as an acoustical barrier.

o Addition of shrubs on the ground will provide better attenuation.

• Earth Berms

o Earth berms are effective isolators if completely covered by sound-absorbing material,

such as plant.

o If there are reflective surfaces along their tops or deciduous trees, the effectiveness is
reduced because it can scatter sound energy.
 • Thin Wall Barriers

o Elevated roadbed plus shielding of grass-covered earth berm and thin-wall barrier can
provide useful attenuation. However, elevated highways more than 500 ft. away can
produce almost the same noise levels as highways at grade level because the line of
sight will not be blocked.

o Roadbeds below grade can interrupt the direct sound path from source to receiver even
further, thereby providing greater attenuation by diffraction. Roadbed depressions of 12
ft. or more are usually needed to control highway noise.

o Attenuation from thin-wall barrier is more effective where there is greater angle of
diffraction.

LAND USE PLANNING FOR NOISE CONTROL

• Zoning

o Industrial and commercial areas may act as barriers of noise for the benefit of
residential occupancies.

o Light industry may be completely surrounded by office and research park buildings so
that the residential areas are protected from industrial and vehicular traffic noise.

• Site Planning

o Use of concentrated external parking

o Use of cuttings

o Use of landscape embankments

• Building Orientation

o Orient the buildings such that the building will be shielded from traffic noise. Openings
and sensitive areas should be located away from source of noise or near shielded areas.

o By angling or staggering the buildings, noise build up from courtyards can be reduced.