California high-speed rail project, Merced-Fresno, CA

CSA is currently working on the noise and vibration portion of the Merced-Fresno segment of the California High-Speed Rail Project (CA HSR). The CA HSR project is the largest high-speed rail project in the United States. The Merced-Fresno portion is one of two segments applying for ARRA funding, and will be the first two through the environmental process. The Merced-Fresno segment consulting team has been at the forefront of policy and process formation for the entire project. CSA staff have worked on the analysis of the noise and vibration data, directed the modeling of the impacts and written the noise and vibration technical report and EIS/EIR section. CSA staff also developed the project wide noise and vibration mitigation guidelines, used by the consultant teams on all the project segments.

FTA noise and vibration impact assessment training courses

CSA staff have been instructors for the FTA’s noise and vibration impact assessment training courses for over 10 years, with the most recent courses in Baltimore, MD in September 2011 and Portland, OR in December 2011. The three day course, sponsored by the National Transit Institute, covers the entire noise and vibration guidance manual, including screening, general and detailed assessments for noise and vibration, along with information on mitigation measures and construction noise and vibration. CSA staff have taught over 300 students, including consultants, state DOT and agency staff, and FTA regional and headquarters staff.

Wind turbine noise assessment, Falmouth, MA

CSA staff provided subconsulting services to the town of Falmouth MA in support of noise measurements for the turbine installed at the town’s wastewater treatment plant. We assisted with the long-term and short-term noise measurements at homes near the turbine to determine ambient noise levels, and noise levels when the turbine was operating. We also performed source reference levels of the wind turbine to determine if the turbine met the manufacturer’s noise emission specification.

Massachusetts Bay transportation authority transit station upgrade project, Boston, MA

CSA staff worked with a team of consultants and engineers to upgrade public address systems in three stations along MBTA transit lines. Mr. Singleton directed the fieldwork for the project which involved quantification of noise from station sources such as rail vehicles and HVAC systems, acoustical testing to determine speech intelligibility characteristics of the existing public address systems, and analysis of system components to aid to sound system design.

Airport noise monitor assessment

CSA provided field measurement services at one of the world’s busiest airports to help assess the performance of a newly installed airport noise monitor. We measured noise from aircraft takeoff and landings, and correlated various noise metrics with aircraft type and directions.

Microphone quality control support

CSA worked closely with Soundwave Research Labs, a manufacturer located in Ashland MA, during the development of Crowley & Tripp Microphones. We provided independent testing services to assess the performance of the Studio Vocalist, Soundstage Image, and Proscenium microphones. In addition to measuring the performance of the Crowley & Tripp microphones, we also measured competing microphones to provide a suitable baseline. We developed specific recommendations for a customized acoustic test fixture for use in internal quality assurance processes.

Car wash noise assessments

CSA worked with F. L. Roberts & Co Inc. in support of proposed car wash facilities in Springfield MA, and Farmington CT. We measured noise levels at existing car wash facilities and used the data to model car wash noise at proposed locations. We compared the modeled car wash levels with relevant noise ordinances, and recommended noise mitigation measures where necessary. We also presented the analysis results before the Farmington Planning Board and the Springfield City Council.

Health club noise study

In response to noise complaints from a neighboring business, CSA was hired by a Curves for Women franchise in the Boston area to help assess the problem. We performed sound measurements in adjacent offices and exercise spaces to determine sound transmission through shared partitions. We compared the data with relevant Noise Criteria and Speech Intelligibility standards to determine impact. We recommended cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce sound transmission from the health club.

Environmental Assessments Service