ASTM E1686-23
(Guide)Standard Guide for Applying Environmental Noise Measurement Methods and Criteria
Standard Guide for Applying Environmental Noise Measurement Methods and Criteria
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Evaluation of Environmental Noise—Environmental noise is evaluated by comparing a measurement or prediction of the noise to one or more criteria. There are many different criteria and ways of measuring and specifying noise, depending on the purpose of the evaluation. Some evaluations are limited to determining compliance with existing regulations or ordinances. Others are done in the absence of such requirements or to supplement regulatory evaluations where the regulations do not address fully or at all the issues of concern.
4.2 Selection of Criteria—This guide provides information useful in selecting the appropriate criteria and measurement method to evaluate noise. In making the selection, the user should consider the following: regulatory or legal requirements for the use of a specific criterion; purpose of the evaluation (regulatory compliance, compatibility, activity interference, aesthetics, comfort, annoyance, health effects, hearing damage, etc.); types of data that are available or could be available (A-weighted, octave band, average level, maximum level, day-night level, calibrated recordings including .wav files from which various measurements could be made, etc.); and available budget for instrumentation and manpower to obtain that data. After selecting a measurement method, the user should consult appropriate references for more detailed guidance (1).7
4.3 Objective versus Subjective Evaluations—This guide discusses objective sound criteria based on measurements and regulations based on such. Some local noise ordinances are based solely or partially on subjective judgements of noise. Enforcement of these can be easily challenged and, in some jurisdictions, they are not permitted. These are not further considered in this guide. One way to address such situations is to evaluate the sound based on reasonable objective criteria.
4.4 Soundscape Methodology—The overall sound environment as perceived outdoors is often called a soundscape. Soundsc...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers many measurement methods and criteria for evaluating environmental noise, some of which are required to be used for specific purposes by governmental regulations. It is intended to provide users who may not be familiar with them with an overview of the wide variety of available methods and criteria. It includes the following:
1.1.1 The use of weightings, penalties, and adjustment or normalization factors;
1.1.2 Types of noise measurements and criteria, indicating their limitations and best uses;
1.1.3 Sources of criteria;
1.1.4 Recommended procedures for criteria selection;
1.1.5 A catalog of sources of selected available criteria; and
1.1.6 Suggested applications of sound level measurements and criteria.
1.2 Criteria Selection—Thorough evaluation of noise issues requires consideration of many characteristics of both the sound and the environment into which it is introduced. This guide will assist users in selecting criteria for the following:
1.2.1 Evaluating the effect of existing or potential outdoor sounds on a community considering the magnitude and other characteristics of the sound and environment;
1.2.2 Establishing or revising local noise ordinances, codes, or bylaws, including performance standards in zoning regulations; and
1.2.3 Identifying and evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements that do not specify an acoustical measurement method or criterion or which are unclear.
1.3 Reasons for Criteria—This guide discusses the many reasons for noise criteria, ways sound can be measured and specified, and advantages and disadvantages of the most widely used types of criteria. The guide refers the user to appropriate documents for more detailed information and guidance. Users needing further general background on sound and sound measurement are directed to the books listed in the References section.
1.4 Criteria in Regulations—Certain criteria are spe...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1686 − 23
Standard Guide for
Applying Environmental Noise Measurement Methods and
1
Criteria
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1686; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope guidance. Users needing further general background on sound
and sound measurement are directed to the books listed in the
1.1 This guide covers many measurement methods and
References section.
criteria for evaluating environmental noise, some of which are
1.4 Criteria in Regulations—Certain criteria are specified to
required to be used for specific purposes by governmental
regulations. It is intended to provide users who may not be be used by government regulation, law, or ordinance for
specific purposes. Any investigation or evaluation of a com-
familiar with them with an overview of the wide variety of
available methods and criteria. It includes the following: munity noise issue must start with identifying applicable
regulations and evaluating compliance with them. This docu-
1.1.1 The use of weightings, penalties, and adjustment or
ment discusses but is not limited to regulations and ordinances.
normalization factors;
Due to the wide variation in local regulations, those are
1.1.2 Types of noise measurements and criteria, indicating
discussed more generally, and specific criteria are provided
their limitations and best uses;
only from national government regulations. Regulations typi-
1.1.3 Sources of criteria;
cally specify measurement methods and criteria for purposes of
1.1.4 Recommended procedures for criteria selection;
the regulation. Local ordinances must be written for ease of
1.1.5 A catalog of sources of selected available criteria; and
enforcement and cannot address all situations satisfactorily
1.1.6 Suggested applications of sound level measurements
without becoming too complex. Such ordinances are also often
and criteria.
prepared without competent guidance and can be too restrictive
1.2 Criteria Selection—Thorough evaluation of noise issues
in some cases and not restrictive enough in others. Other
requires consideration of many characteristics of both the
regulations that determine government spending for noise
sound and the environment into which it is introduced. This
control must balance that cost to the general public against
guide will assist users in selecting criteria for the following:
impacts on individuals.
1.2.1 Evaluating the effect of existing or potential outdoor
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sounds on a community considering the magnitude and other
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
characteristics of the sound and environment;
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2.2 Establishing or revising local noise ordinances, codes,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
or bylaws, including performance standards in zoning regula-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tions; and
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2.3 Identifying and evaluating compliance with regulatory
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
requirements that do not specify an acoustical measurement
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
method or criterion or which are unclear.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 Reasons for Criteria—This guide discusses the many mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
reasons for noise criteria, ways sound can be measured and Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
specified, and advantages and disadvantages of the most
2. Referenced Documents
widely used types of criteria. The guide refers the user to
2
appropriate documents for more detailed information and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
Acoustics
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and
Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.09 on
2
Community Noise. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1686 – 16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document S
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1686 − 16 E1686 − 23
Standard Guide for
Applying Environmental Noise Measurement Methods and
1
Criteria
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1686; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers many measurement methods and criteria for evaluating environmental noise. It noise, some of which are
required to be used for specific purposes by governmental regulations. It is intended to provide users who may not be familiar with
them with an overview of the wide variety of available methods and criteria. It includes the following:
1.1.1 The use of weightings, penalties, and adjustment or normalization factors;
1.1.2 Types of noise measurements and criteria, indicating their limitations and best uses;
1.1.3 Sources of criteria;
1.1.4 Recommended procedures for criteria selection;
1.1.5 A catalog of sources of selected available criteria; and
1.1.6 Suggested applications of sound level measurements and criteria.
1.2 Criteria Selection—Thorough evaluation of noise issues requires consideration of many characteristics of both the sound and
the environment into which it is introduced. This guide will assist users in selecting criteria for the following:
1.2.1 Evaluating the effect of existing or potential outdoor sounds on a community; orcommunity considering the magnitude and
other characteristics of the sound and environment;
1.2.2 Establishing or revising local noise ordinances, codes, or bylaws, including performance standards in zoning regulations-
.regulations; and
1.2.3 Identifying and evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements that do not specify an acoustical measurement method
or criterion or which are unclear.
1.3 Reasons for Criteria—This guide discusses the many reasons for noise criteria, ways sound can be measured and specified,
and advantages and disadvantages of the most widely used types of criteria. The guide refers the user to appropriate documents
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.09 on
Community Noise.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2023. Published October 2016December 2023. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20102016
ε1
as E1686 – 10E1686 – 16. . DOI: 10.1520/E1686-16.10.1520/E1686-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E1686 − 23
for more detailed information and guidance. The listing of specific criteria includes national government regulatory requirements.
Users needing further general background on sound and sound measurement are directed to the books listed in the References
section.
1.4 Criteria in Regulations—Certain criteria are specified to be used by government regulation, law, or ordinance for specific
purposes. Ease of enforcement and cost impact on government are considerations for these criteria. They may not be the most
appropriate criteria in some circumstances. This guide will discuss the limitations of these criteria.Any investigation or evaluation
of a community noise issue must start with identifying applicable regulations and evaluating compliance with them. This document
discusses but is not limited to regulations and ordinances. Due to the wide variation in local regulations, those are discussed more
generally, and specific criteria are provided only from national government regulations. Regulations typically specify measurement
methods and criteria for purposes of the regulation. Local ordinances must be written for ease of enforcement and cannot address
all situations satisfactorily without becoming too complex. Such ordinances are also often prepared without competent guidance
and can be too restrictive in some cases and not restrictive enough in others. Other regulations that determine government spending
for noise control must balance that cost to the general public against impacts on individuals.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environm
...
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