Updating Methodological Approaches to Organizing Monitoring of Acoustic Exposure of the Population Based on the Developed Criteria

Introduction: Methodological approaches to organizing monitoring of non-ionizing physical factors in the human environment are being developed. Currently, there is a need to elaborate and substantiate unified methodological approaches to organizing monitoring of acoustic exposure of the population.

Objective: To develop criteria and methodological approaches to monitoring acoustic exposure of the population in conjunction with a risk-based surveillance model.

Materials and Methods: The acoustic environment was studied in residential areas of St. Petersburg at addresses located in the historic part of the city and in districts with modern development (four observation groups each). Day and nighttime equivalent and maximum sound levels were measured in both warm and cold seasons of the year, at least at three observation points of each location. Acoustic models were constructed using the Acoustics 3D Automated WorkStation while three-dimensional models of the built environment were created based on the vector map of the city derived from Geographic Information Systems.

Results: In each study group, comparable values of equivalent and maximum sound levels were recorded when applying a uniform set of criteria and standard indicators. The difference in equivalent sound levels between points within the same group did not exceed 2 dB. Key parameters determining the acoustic environment (traffic flow composition and parameters, type of development, road surface characteristics, presence of green spaces) were identified and ranked. To validate the developed system of criteria and quantify their contribution to the overall noise pollution level, we constructed computer models of acoustic exposure. The results of modeling proved the adequacy of the selected criteria and the accuracy of the calculation algorithms incorporated in the model.

Conclusions: The developed criteria and proposed methodological approaches will help predict noise levels in the areas with similar sets of parameters, reduce the number of measurement points in groups homogeneous in terms of acoustically significant characteristics while maintaining acceptable accuracy of the obtained noise level values. This, in its turn, will facilitate standardization of monitoring programs, optimization of labor resources, removal of noise-safe facilities from monitoring schedules, and increased control over high-risk facilities.

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