Development of NRI version of noise and vibration simulator

Prediction System for Noise and Vibration Impacts at Construction Project Sites for Birds of Prey

[Note] (Added on 1/14/2020)
This page introduces the software “National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NIIST) Version Noise and Vibration Simulator” developed in the 2004 research.
We have decided to discontinue offering the software as free software because it does not sufficiently support the latest operating environment.

Introduction

Noise and vibration generated by various construction projects have become a major environmental problem. In addition to the residents of the surrounding area, recently there has been an increase in the number of cases where adverse effects on the nesting activities of rare raptors such as bear hawks and goshawks have been raised as a problem. In order to address these issues, it is necessary to predict the extent and scale of noise and vibration generated at the site and the degree of impact based on objective evidence and present the results in an easy-to-understand manner during the environmental impact assessment and other processes. This information is expected to make it easier to consider draft project implementation plans, necessary conservation measures, etc.

Measurement test of construction machinery, a source of noise and vibration (on the premises of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)

What is the National Research Institute's version of the noise and vibration simulator?

The NRI version of the Noise and Vibration Simulator is software for predicting the propagation of noise and vibration generated by construction and use of dams and roads in the surrounding area on a personal computer. By using this system, for example, it is possible to quantitatively and visually grasp in advance how much noise and vibration is likely to be generated near raptor nests and residences in the project planning area.
This system is freeware and runs on a personal computer (Windows).
It can run as a stand-alone software, but if you have GIS software (ESRI's ArcGIS), it can run as an extension of that software and overlay the results in various ways for easy understanding.

Please contact us if you wish to obtain a copy.

→ (Added on 1/14/2020) We do not offer this service at this time.

The goshawk is a rare bird of prey. Breeding experiments have revealed auditory and other characteristics.

Prediction Calculation Method

input data

Sources of noise and vibration (individual construction equipment, construction type, and construction method) are selected by the user from a library list, and the type, location, range, etc. are entered as GIS data or as text data. For example, the shape of the attached road and the type and number of trucks traveling on it. Data such as elevation (ground level), vegetation, location and height of sound barriers, etc. must be given as well.

Example of display of noise prediction results (areal distribution)

Prediction Calculation

Propagation prediction calculations are based on prediction formulas established by the Acoustical Society of Japan and other organizations, and propagation characteristics due to differences in vegetation and ground surface geometry are corrected based on field measurement results. In the case of raptors, however, the auditory characteristics of raptors, which were measured by the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences in collaboration with Chiba University (Okanoya Laboratory), are used. Various measurements required for noise and vibration at the source and for validation of the propagation prediction equation were conducted by the National Research Institute (Greening and Ecology Laboratory), the Public Works Research Institute (Advanced Technology Team), and the Kanto Regional Technical Office in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology.

Display of noise distribution by arbitrary cross section

System Functions : The National Research Institute's version of the Noise and Vibration Simulator has the following features

System features		Feature overview
Noise and vibration propagation prediction calculation function	1.Setting Forecast Conditions	[Set the spatial information to be used in the forecast calculation] ・Set up the information (elevation, vegetation, ground surface conditions, weather, etc.) for the space to be used for forecast calculations. [The information related to noise/vibration sources is set up.] ・Establish the layout of construction equipment and vehicles that will be the source of noise and vibration, as well as the scope of construction work.
	2.Perform forecasting calculations	[Prediction calculations for planes, cross sections, and points] ・Performs predictive calculations for a planar distribution of noise and a user-specified location (point or cross-section). ・Planar distribution of vibrations, predictions are calculated for user-specified locations (points). [Application of frequency weighting characteristics (noise only)] ・For the prediction calculation of noise, the results of the prediction calculation by the frequency weight characteristic specified by the user are calculated.
	3.Prediction Results	[Visualization of forecast results] ・Visual display of the planar distribution of noise and the predicted results for a user-specified location (point or cross-section). ・Visual display of the planar distribution of vibration and the predicted results for a user-specified location (point).
Ability to edit system configuration	4.Edit System Configuration	[Edit or add information related to noise and vibration sources.] ・Manage information on heavy machinery and other sources of noise and vibration as an independent database, and edit and add data. [Edit or add propagation prediction model configurations.] ・The propagation prediction model is composed of independent modules, and the module structure is edited and modules are added. [Edit or add frequency weight characteristics] ・Maintain an independent database of frequency weight characteristics (e.g., auditory characteristics of raptors) for use in evaluation, and edit and add data.

Example of calculation results

Prediction conditions
Air: temperature 9.6°C, humidity 40%, barometric pressure 1024.4 hPa

Source/Sound barrier

elevation

Type of ground surface

vegetation

Example of Prediction Calculation Results

Backhoe No. 1 was placed as the source and the areal distribution of noise was displayed as equivalent noise level. For auditory characteristics, human A characteristics were used.

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