Noise map software

[okdb]

Hi,

We're looking for a noise mapping software for noise from traffic, railways and industries. We have to use the nordic calculation method to comply with the authorities. There's only to softwares that calculate with this methode: SoundPlan and CadnaA. Both programs do a lot of thing and it is therefore a bit difficult to judge wich one is the best. What we want to avoid the most is to be limited later on by the software's capabilities.

Does anyone as good experience with one / both of these softwares? If so, any hints? what should we look at especially in details in order to get a thorough comparison?

Thanks in advance
OkdB

 

[vozgul]

Hii,

Unfortunately I don't have much information about this concept but visit also:

http://www.woelfel.de/wms/noise/index.htm

They have a software called IMMI. I think you can require demo CD.

Best Regards

vozgul

 

[okdb]

Thanks Vozgul,

I knew about IMMI but it doesn't use the nordic calculation method, unfortunately.

OkdB

 

[JFHPELVIEW]

Have not personally used either; however did get a report from SoundPlan about 5 years ago which said that the middle turbine oil cooler (there were 3 engines side-by-side) was approximately 20 dB-A louder than either of the other two. I can tell you from being at the site at the time the sound readings were taken that this was definately not the case. Point being that all these analysis programs give indications of results. All too often, people are so impressed by the output that they fail to apply common sense and look at it with a questioning eye when things just are not reasonable. As an old friend used to say, "You gotta grab your ears and pull your head out of your butt occasionaly and look at what is being reported before running with it".

 

[okdb]

Agree with you JFPELVIEW that those programs can easily give you some weirds answers and one should always make som samples measures in order to get a clue of what noise levels should be expected. This kan be however difficult to do in practice, especially if your talking about noise levels from traffic above a huge area or a specific though important noise source among many others in an industrial plant. You might get close to the reality, but you never know exactly. The thing is to know on which side of the thruth you are: underestimating or overestimating.

OkdB