High resolution models of urban noise

Assessing and preventing urban noise are major challenges in environmental management. One of the ways our team members are addressing this challenge is by developing Land-Use Regression (LUR) models. These models use field measurements to explain the association between urban features and corresponding urban noise in three major cities: Montreal, Halifax, and Toronto. We will expand on this work by designing a field monitoring campaign to either calibrate new LUR models in other cities or evaluate the results from noise propagation models.

Goudreau S, Plante C, Fournier M, Brand A, Roche Y and Smargiassi A. (2014). Estimation of Spatial Variations in Urban Noise Levels with a Land Use Regression Model. Environment and Pollution Vol. 3, No. 4. Pages 48-58.

Comparing models: finding the best way forward

CANUE team members have also studied environmental noise with a propagation model called Computer Aided Noise Abatement (CadnaA). This model assesses and predicts environmental noise in Greater Vancouver for 2003, and is currently being developed for Montreal and Toronto. We will compare the CadnaA model with the LUR model to assess strengths and weaknesses, and document data availability (historic and future) so that these models can be implemented in other cities.

Gan WQ, McLean K, Brauer M, Chiarello SA, Davies HW. (2012) Modelling population exposure to community noise and air pollution in a large metropolitan area. Environmental Research. Vol. 116. Pages 11-16.