Noise and Vibration Impact Studies for Municipal Approvals Services

During the planning process for a new sensitive land use, such as a residential sub-division or a high-rise residential building, the municipality may require a noise and vibration impact study, if the development is close to a major traffic roadway, a rail corridor (train, subway, tram, streetcar), an airport or an industry (factory, quarry, refinery, power plant).

Early in the planning process, during development or amendments to an Official Plan, or a proposed re-zoning, the study may take the form of a noise feasibility study, evaluating the broad compatibility of locating certain competing land uses adjacent to one another – such as a residential zone next to an industrial zone.  Often, these preliminary studies are primarily predictive in nature, because the lands in question may be only minimally developed, or slated to change land uses.  In this case, acoustical computer modeling is used to determine the future sound levels.

For more advanced stages in the planning process, when a specific development or building is proposed, a full impact study can be undertaken, to address critical issues as detailed as the subdivision layout, dwelling orientation, selection of sound insulating walls and windows, and design of noise barriers or berms, where necessary.  A number of key steps are essential to this type of noise and vibration impact study.

Noise and Vibration Impact Studies: A Step-by-Step Process

• Identifying existing sources of sound b vibration
• Predicting future noise b vibration levels
• Determining jurisdictional limits for noise b vibration
• Developing Noise b Vibration Control Measures
• Delivering an Assessment Report