Noise mapping is a very powerful calculation tool which can produce noise contour plots over an area, or noise levels at individual locations. It enables complex calculations from many noise sources to be undertaken over a large geographical area. Changes in situation, for example the addition of new noise sources or the effects of mitigation, can be readily assessed and presented visually.

WBM regularly uses ‘SoundPlan’ noise mapping software to calculate noise from road traffic, rail traffic and industrial sources. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Integrated Noise Model (INM) is used to calculate noise from aircraft. The output from both programs can be combined.

WBM projects which have utilised noise mapping include factory noise, train care depots, residential developments adjacent to new and existing roads, a motorcycle speedway circuit, external plant near residential, recycling sites, concrete batching plants and a large military aerodrome which combined multiple industrial sources with aircraft noise.

An example noise contour plot of road traffic noise in a residential area is shown below.