SoundPLAN Special 4/2012

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Cordelia Bradford
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If you are not a SoundPLAN user and want to experiment with the capabilities of the Facade Noise Map to see how easy it is to get EU noise statistics, please feel free to download the demo version

If you want to use a real version, ask the SoundPLAN rep from your area (the links are located on the right border of this page) about this, and if you are a current use, write for a one month trial.

1 If you are not a SoundPLAN user and want to experiment with the capabilities of the Facade Noise Map to see how easy it is to get EU noise statistics, please feel free to download the demo version from our server (download SoundPLAN). If you want to use a real version, ask the SoundPLAN rep from your area (the links are located on the right border of this page) about this, and if you are a current use, write for a one month trial. SoundPLAN Special 4/2012 The Facade Noise Map discussed in this can be added to your license with a 20% price discount if ordered in April Dates for trade shows, seminars, training... Acoustics 2012 Hong Kong, Hong Kong, May Training Hong Kong, May 17/18 EuroNoise 2012, Prague, Czech Republic, June Previous SoundPLAN Info Issues From the hotline desk InterNoise 2012, New York, USA, August SoundPLAN Info #1 in PDF format SoundPLAN Info #2 in PDF format SoundPLAN User Forum: Some time ago we started a SoundPLAN user forum with a restricted group of participants. We would now like to open this forum to all SoundPLAN users. If you are interested in joining, go to and register your new account. Façade Correction? What is that? There are two schools of thought concerning what the results of a noise simulation at a building shall represent. One group wants the simulation to be get the same results as a measurement at the same place would be. If we assume a measurement 1 meter in front of a window of a building, the reflection from the facade will increase the noise level, so a Facade Correction is required. The other group wants to know what the noise level inside the building will be. Although the noise reflects at a window, the Facade Correction cannot be applied when assessing the noise inside the room. A Grid Noise Map for the outside is always without a Facade Correction, so if the Facade Correction is used, the results at the Facade will be different than the noise levels in the vicinity. The values on the facade will be louder than in front of the building. The calculation to the left was done using CoRTN, which uses the Facade Correction.

TNM* and the TNM interface TNM is the official noise regulation in the USA for road noise. TNM 2.

The interface and calculation speed are outdated, but nonetheless, it is the official program in the USA and its use

SoundPLAN allows users to create all types of noise maps and calculations for single receivers.

5, you can still build the model in SoundPLAN, create the noise maps and prepare the SoundPLAN model for export into

The export interface rectifies most of the situations TNM cannot handle (elevation lines intersecting with roads,

This way you can have the noise maps from SoundPLAN and the official answers for single receivers from the official

The SoundPLAN implementation of the TNM rules and regulations has not been tested, evaluated, or approved for use by

Tools for converting GML data into a format SoundPLAN imports GIS data is often available in the GML format

The format is based on XML and must be converted to a Shape file before it can be imported to SoundPLAN.

org and at http://fwtools.maptools.org. As the Org2org tool interface is a bit difficult to use, here is a graphical

Helicopter Noise Mapping Small heliports are evaluated frequently, especially hospital landing platforms.

2 TNM* and the TNM interface TNM is the official noise regulation in the USA for road noise. TNM 2.5 is the latest version available and dates from February The interface and calculation speed are outdated, but nonetheless, it is the official program in the USA and its use is required for Federal Aid Projects. SoundPLAN has the TNM regulation implemented and will seek official approval. SoundPLAN allows users to create all types of noise maps and calculations for single receivers. If "official" answers are required with the "official" TNM 2.5, you can still build the model in SoundPLAN, create the noise maps and prepare the SoundPLAN model for export into the native TNM structure. The export interface rectifies most of the situations TNM cannot handle (elevation lines intersecting with roads, buildings translated into walls...). This way you can have the noise maps from SoundPLAN and the official answers for single receivers from the official TNM program. * TNM is a registered trademark of the US government. The SoundPLAN implementation of the TNM rules and regulations has not been tested, evaluated, or approved for use by any Agency of the United States Government. Tools for converting GML data into a format SoundPLAN imports GIS data is often available in the GML format (Geography Markup Language). The format is based on XML and must be converted to a Shape file before it can be imported to SoundPLAN. Please find a free data viewer at and tools to convert the data at and at As the Org2org tool interface is a bit difficult to use, here is a graphical user interface for the tools: Helicopter Noise Mapping Small heliports are evaluated frequently, especially hospital landing platforms. Sometimes these platforms are elevated on the roof top and the start procedures includes backwards take-off. With the special directivity of helicopters and the screening effects of the buildings, this becomes a complex task to model with simple modeling tools. Using SoundPLAN with the new DIN (draft 2011) makes things much easier. All topics described above are easily or automatically handled. Please have a look at the attached pictures showing the noise contours of a helicopter takeoff from an elevated platform. You can view the pictures in its original size at picasaweb. Interested in how to do this? Write Jochen Schaal. (click on the name to open an to him) Flight path of helicopter on map and in 3D Cross-sectional noise maps in a 3D picture

the END noise statistics where the number

highest noise level found anywhere on the

The Facade Noise Map can be displayed as

3 The Main Topic Façade Noise Maps Façade Noise Maps - What for? The Facade Noise Map arranges receivers to be calculated on all facades of residential buildings. Receivers can be placed for each floor, or at a single height from the ground. The results are used for two main purposes; to show the noise levels at buildings and to generate the data for the END noise statistics where the number of exposed people are tallied. The conventional Facade Noise Map includes the capabilities to shade a facade point by point, to shade the facade in accordance to the maximum noise level found on the facade, or to color the entire building in the color of the highest noise level found anywhere on the building. The Facade Noise Map can be displayed as a top-view as in the top picture, or as a 3D model as in the lower picture. Formatting options allow buildings to be displayed with the calculation points superimposed, or the entire facade shaded according to a user defined scale. For the display of single receivers, it is possible to select different icons to distinguish between noise levels exceeding the noise limit and noise levels that are acceptable.

The Prep-Work In the Geo-Database, the buildings for which a Facade Noise Map shall be generated must be activated and

It is possible to mark all building facades or to select/de-select individual facades.

The number of floors is crucial, as well as the height from floor to floor.

If you want to use the Facade Noise Map to gather noise exposure statistics, you must assign the number of residents to

This can be done on a building by building individual assignment or by assigning residents in the Attribute Explorer.

usage area, where the number of residents are assigned to areas of similar building use.

SoundPLAN's GeoDatabase has GeoTools/More Building Tools/Distribute occupants to distribute the inhabitants from the

The program calculates the total number of square meters of residential living space in the area (footprint of the

meters per resident are listed for each usage area.

4 The Prep-Work In the Geo-Database, the buildings for which a Facade Noise Map shall be generated must be activated and the facades to be calculated must be marked. It is possible to mark all building facades or to select/de-select individual facades. The buildings must also have certain parameters defined. The number of floors is crucial, as well as the height from floor to floor. These parameters are needed to locate the receivers. If you want to use the Facade Noise Map to gather noise exposure statistics, you must assign the number of residents to the building. This can be done on a building by building individual assignment or by assigning residents in the Attribute Explorer. If individual resident numbers aren't available, SoundPLAN can distribute the number of residents on the basis of the usage area, where the number of residents are assigned to areas of similar building use. The numbers can come from sources such as the voting register or city databases. SoundPLAN's GeoDatabase has GeoTools/More Building Tools/Distribute occupants to distribute the inhabitants from the (marked) usage areas to the residential buildings enclosed in them. The program calculates the total number of square meters of residential living space in the area (footprint of the building times the number of floors assigned to the building) and distributes the number of residents from the usage area evenly among them. The last screenshot in this section shows the result of the assignment where the population numbers and the square meters per resident are listed for each usage area. Another method is marking the buildings and use GeoTool/Prepare Buildings which allows the user to assign a number of residents directly to the building depending on the square meters of residential space each resident has to their disposal. The data of the buildings, along with the 3D terrain model and the noise sources, make up the noise model. Information must be saved in a Situation that the Calculation Core processes. The Calculation Core needs to know where the Facade Noise Map is to be calculated. For this purpose, an area we call the calculation area is required. All buildings within this area will be included in the Facade Noise Map. SoundPLAN can handle an unlimited number of noise maps that can be included in a Facade Noise Map Graphics or be used for the calculation of the Spreadsheet.

How to assess the Number of Residents In order for SoundPLAN to tally the residents exposed

multiple usage areas (this was already helpful to define the residents per building).

number of floors, similar number of residents per apartment...).

At this point it is assumed that the number of residents have been assigned for each

A Facade Noise Map is calculated on the basis of the statistical noise exposure evaluation.

receivers, or just select a spacing between the receivers.

should be calculated 2 meters in front of the facade, This, however, will double the

As the initial noise mapping was to be carried out at a single height of 4 meters above

5 How to assess the Number of Residents In order for SoundPLAN to tally the residents exposed to high noise levels, the entire town must be defined as a usage area or divide it into multiple usage areas (this was already helpful to define the residents per building). It is wise to generate usage areas with similar building structures and character (similar number of floors, similar number of residents per apartment...). The SoundPLAN Spreadsheet can then deliver the EU statistics on the basis of the usage areas. At this point it is assumed that the number of residents have been assigned for each building, and the number of dwellings if that information is desired. A Facade Noise Map is calculated on the basis of the statistical noise exposure evaluation. Façade Noise Map Calculation Options The user needs to decide where the receivers are to be located on the map. It is possible to have a single receiver placed in the middle of the facade, or two receivers, or just select a spacing between the receivers. If the Facade Noise Map is carried out in strict compliance to the END, a second receiver should be calculated 2 meters in front of the facade, This, however, will double the calculation time. As the initial noise mapping was to be carried out at a single height of 4 meters above ground, there is also the option to not calculate floor by floor and instead simply locate all receivers at the 4 meter level. Additional settings define how the calculation is to be done. If the search range is defined by the facade, noise from the backside of the building will be ignored. First order reflection on the "own" building can also be suppressed (see facade correction in the hotline desk section). A Facade Noise Map can save more than the noise levels, but this has to be done with caution as city wide noise maps have huge file sizes.

Getting the END Statistics The easiest way to get the END statistics is to load a Situation and a calculated Facade Noise Map in the format of the EU-Buildings directly into the

The buildings are shaded in accordance to the standard EU color scale, and a box with the statistics for the entire town (or calculation area) is prepared from the data contained

Display Options When a Facade Noise Map is started in the Graphics, the user can select the time slice (day or evening or night or Lden.

In 3D, all floors can be visible simultaneously. The scale for noise maps is also users controlled.

If 3D, choose between painting the facade the color of the noise scale or displaying individual receivers as solid objects representing the levels at the facade.

6 Getting the END Statistics The easiest way to get the END statistics is to load a Situation and a calculated Facade Noise Map in the format of the EU-Buildings directly into the Graphics. The rawunformatted form of this can be seen to the left. The buildings are shaded in accordance to the standard EU color scale, and a box with the statistics for the entire town (or calculation area) is prepared from the data contained in the situation and the Facade Noise Map. Simple procedure are sufficient for most cases. Display Options When a Facade Noise Map is started in the Graphics, the user can select the time slice (day or evening or night or Lden...) and the floor the noise map will display when it is in 2D. Alternatively, the loudest value for each facade receiver can be presented. In 3D, all floors can be visible simultaneously. The scale for noise maps is also users controlled. With the graphics Object Setup you can control the appearance of the Facade Noise Map. Decide if the noise map is going to be in 2D or 3D. If 3D, choose between painting the facade the color of the noise scale or displaying individual receivers as solid objects representing the levels at the facade. If 2D, there are individual symbols for the calculated receivers. They can be filled in scale colors or there can be one symbol showing the noise levels in compliance and another showing conflicts. The noise levels themselves can be printed in the middle of the facade noise symbol or be omitted. If the scale increases, the visibility of individual symbols may be problematic. If so, it is advisable to color entire facades in accordance to the maximum noise level found on the facade, or to color the entire building in accordance to the scale colors. Combinations of the different display modes are also possible.

Façade Noise Map in 3D The Facade Noise Map can be used within the 3D Graphics to produce

entire facade as shown above for the Facade Correction.

Facade Noise Maps can be combined with Cross-Sectional noise maps or Grid Noise Maps or

Calculations with Façade Noise Maps Just like Grid Noise Maps, it is possible to do

This makes it possible to show differences between analysis and prognosis.

This is only possible with the flexible concept of the SoundPLAN Facade Noise Maps which

The formulas allow the user to calculate the difference between the maps or add noise

It is also possible to add a constant background noise level.

Grid Noise Map and Facade Noise Map are part of a license) uses the internal storage

This calculates the initial noise map and then produces multiple noise maps as a

The Façade Noise Map and the SoundPLAN Spreadsheet If you are requested to produce more

flexibility available with its SoundPLAN Spreadsheet.

7 Façade Noise Map in 3D The Facade Noise Map can be used within the 3D Graphics to produce the receivers as a solid object such as the high-rises to the left, or it can color the entire facade as shown above for the Facade Correction. Simply select different options in the Object Setup! Facade Noise Maps can be combined with Cross-Sectional noise maps or Grid Noise Maps or Meshed Maps to form maps depicting the complete noise situation. Calculations with Façade Noise Maps Just like Grid Noise Maps, it is possible to do arithmetic calculations with Facade Noise Map. This makes it possible to show differences between analysis and prognosis. Once can see where noise levels increase or decrease. This is only possible with the flexible concept of the SoundPLAN Facade Noise Maps which allow a limitless number of noise maps and can address each of them individually. The formulas allow the user to calculate the difference between the maps or add noise maps from road noise to maps from railway or industry to form a comprehensive noise map. It is also possible to add a constant background noise level. The Meshed Map - a Cousin of the Façade Noise Map The Meshed Noise Map (available when Grid Noise Map and Facade Noise Map are part of a license) uses the internal storage mechanism of the Facade Noise Map. This calculates the initial noise map and then produces multiple noise maps as a frequency by frequency breakdown as seen to the left. The Façade Noise Map and the SoundPLAN Spreadsheet If you are requested to produce more in-depth results than the Graphics statistics supplies, SoundPLAN has the ultimate flexibility available with its SoundPLAN Spreadsheet. This spreadsheet functions similarly to other spreadsheets but has several distinctive advantages. All SoundPLAN internal data are directly available, it is possible to generate columns for result data and to import data from other Facade Noise Maps into an existing building account. The spreadsheet has provisions to make separate/compound statistics for road traffic, railway traffic, aircraft and industry, and then tally the sum of the infringements and the total of the noise affected persons. It is also possible to host data for multiple scenarios in the spreadsheet and to create columns with the change between the analysis and the prognosis.

The spreadsheet has multiple pre-defined variants. One allows access to the calculation results of the Facade Noise Map, one is for an account of all buildings and another is focused on usage areas.

All data in the SoundPLAN Spreadsheet are internal, so they update automatically when new calculation results are available, eliminating the need to export from SoundPLAN and then re-import into an

8 The spreadsheet has multiple pre-defined variants. One allows access to the calculation results of the Facade Noise Map, one is for an account of all buildings and another is focused on usage areas. Information from one spreadsheet can be imported into another spreadsheet type. The Area Table can also be displayed in the Graphics as seen to the left. All data in the SoundPLAN Spreadsheet are internal, so they update automatically when new calculation results are available, eliminating the need to export from SoundPLAN and then re-import into an outside spreadsheet or a GIS system. One example showing how practical this spreadsheet is - especially for big areas, is to relate the total number of noise infringements to the total area and thus map the total infringements per square kilometer. In the Area table of the Spreadsheet, the building statistics has been imported to show the number people exposed to more than 65 db. The area table supplies the size of the usage areas, and an extra column with the formula to divide the number of people by the size of the area yields the number of people per square meter. Multiplied by 1000² shows the number of people with exposure greater than 65 db per square kilometer. This Area table as a conflict map is directly imported into the Graphics to present the areas with the number of noise impacted persons per square kilometer. It is presented with a user defined scale, shown here in different shades of blue. In addition to the areas being shaded to reflect the occupants/km², the buildings are colored in accordance to the noise scale.

SoundPLAN Info #1. February 2012

SoundPLAN Info #1. February 2012 SoundPLAN Info #1 February 2012 If you are not a SoundPLAN user and want to experiment with the noise maps, please feel free to download the demo version from our server, (download SoundPLAN). If you want