Environmental Noise

Environmental noise refers to unwanted or harmful sound from sources such as road traffic, railways, aircraft, construction sites, wind farms, and industrial facilities. Unlike occupational or indoor noise, environmental noise affects the general public and can affect the quality of life.

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A freeway junction in the suburbs viewed from above.

Governments, city councils, and environmental agencies worldwide are working to reduce environmental noise through better planning, regulation, and continuous monitoring. Accurate measurement is the first step in understanding the problem and creating effective solutions.

At HBK, we provide robust and flexible tools for:

Spot measurements in residential or commercial areas
Complaint investigations and enforcement
Long-term noise monitoring near sensitive zones
Data collection to support environmental noise modelling and planning

Whether you're working on a short-term survey or managing a permanent monitoring network, our solutions help you stay compliant, credible, and ready to act.

Urban Noise Pollution

Urban noise pollution significantly impacts public health and quality of life. The constant presence of road traffic, construction work, public transport, and nightlife creates a complex sound environment that municipalities must monitor, regulate, and manage.

Effective urban noise management requires a combination of on-site measurements, long-term planning, and clear enforcement strategies. HBK provides practical tools for every stage of this process.

Urban Noise Assessment

Urban noise assessment involves measuring noise from typical city sources such as:

Road traffic and intersections
Construction sites
Public events and night-time activities
Public transportation systems
Commercial facilities or industrial zones near residential areas

These measurements help:

Respond to citizen complaints
Inform urban development and zoning decisions
Support environmental impact assessments
Create noise action plans

Preventing and reducing noise at the source is always more cost-effective than building barriers or implementing post-construction mitigation.

Noise Enforcement

Many cities enforce local noise limits, often based on national standards or municipal bylaws. These limits vary by time of day, type of zone (residential, mixed, industrial), and type of noise (impulsive, tonal, broadband).

Authorities may perform:

Spot checks at nightclubs or venues
Construction site monitoring during restricted hours
Vehicle noise inspections
Investigations after complaints from residents

Having a robust and portable measurement solution is essential for fast and repeatable enforcement.

System Suggestion

Environmental noise assessment

Environmental Noise Assessment System

For a point solution, B&K 2245 Sound Level Meter with Enviro Noise Partner provides environmental noise surveys to ensure regulations compliance and investigate noise complaints.

For a broader spectrum of logging and measurement possibilities, HBK 2255 sound level meter , and provides a complete solution for the calculation of rating levels according to selected national standards.

Noise mapping and prediction are essential for assessing noise levels over a wide area and for predicting the variations in noise environment due to changes in use. Noise prediction is widely used throughout the planning of developments, from building of large industrial premises and establishment of wind farms to small changes to structures, such as the addition of air conditioning or road widening. Prediction lets you assess and communicate changes to the noise impact, and forms a key part of an environmental impact study.

Noise mapping uses similar modelling techniques to assess noise levels over a wide area, which cannot be achieved cost effectively with individual noise monitoring terminals. The European Commission’s Environmental Noise Directive (END 2002/49/EC) required the creation of noise maps, followed by noise action plans for all agglomerations, major roads, railways and airports by June 30, 2012. Mapping needs to be repeated every five years. There are similar programmes in other countries outside Europe.

System Suggestion:

Environmental noise mapping and prediction

Related Information

Case study: Creating an entire country's noise map with Predictor-LimA

System suggestion – Urban Noise & Enforcement

B&K 2245 Sound Level Meter with Enviro Noise Partner app: A guided and user-friendly system for regulatory checks, complaint investigation, and environmental assessments. Offers key metrics (LAeq, Lmax, Lden, Lnight) and allows tagging with location, time, and comments for reporting.
Outdoor microphone kit: For short-term measurements in various weather conditions.
Tripod and mobile battery kit: Enables fast deployment in streets, parks, or near venues.

This system is ideal for city inspectors, acoustic consultants, and environmental departments who need to ensure compliance with local or national noise regulations.

Type 2270-S

Two-Channel Sound Level Meter / Analyzer

B&K Type 2270-S is a two-channel sound level meter and analyzer, designed for class 1 measurement accuracy with tight phase matching, when conducting measurements using both channels.

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BZ-7301

Enviro Noise Partner for B&K 2245 and HBK 2255 Sound Level Meter

This solution is all you need to easily conduct and report on environmental noise surveys to ensure regulations compliance and investigate noise complaints.

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Environmental Noise

Urban Noise Pollution

Urban Noise Assessment