Determination of the sound power levels emitted by various vehicles using a novel testing method

This paper presents a new and efficient method to determine sound power levels (PWLs). PWLs, generally used for modeling outdoor sound simulations, are obtained from sounds that are emitted by various types of vehicles and cause road traffic noise. Other models, such as HARMONOISE and the ASJ Model, are also based on PWLs. However, a more efficient method is required for determining PWLs from sound pressure levels (SPLs) that typically are measured by field testing and evaluating the influence of different vehicles and road surfaces. The statistical pass-by (SPB) of ISO 11819-1 is used for SPL measurements; however, numerous SPBs must be carried out to reduce measurement uncertainty as well as to satisfy requirements related to meteorological conditions and background noise. In order to alleviate this problem and to make the determination of PWLS more efficient, a testing approach is presented that uses both the novel close proximity (NCPX) method and the pass-by method to determine PWLs.