Environmental noise prediction software: SoundPlan Noise

SoundPLANnoise

road construction

Railway construction

Factory and plant construction (stationary sources)

Noise prediction related to the Large-Scale Retail Store Location Law.

Construction work

windmill sound

Understanding the amount of excess compared to environmental standards and standards under the Noise Regulation Law.

Predicting the effectiveness of soundproofing measures

Calculate the equivalent sound level.

Frequency response input from 1 Hz to 20 kHz is possible.

The propagation calculation results from a sound source with frequency characteristics can be displayed using psychoacoustic evaluation indices (loudness, sharpness, tonality).

Road noise: ASJ RTN-Model 2018

Railway noise: Prediction methods for conventional railway noise

Industrial Noise: Construction Noise Prediction Method ASJ CN-Model 2007
Noise prediction methods for large retail stores: ISO 9613 Part 1 and Part 2, Nord2000

Noise inside the factory
Permeability through interior walls, ceilings, and mezzanine floors.

Room acoustic index calculation
Reverberation time, speech intelligibility (STI), initial reverberation time (EDT), etc.

This is the minimum necessary package.

It is possible to calculate the sound pressure at the receiving point and the sound pressure distribution on the horizontal plane.

We can provide licenses for both standalone and network versions.

As of 2020, the standalone version now supports Windows® Remote Desktop functionality (please contact us for details).

Version 9.1 is now only available as 64-bit software.

Support for the JGD2011 reference system has been added.

The CityGML import functionality has been enhanced to allow the import of latitude and longitude coordinate systems. (SY-0147 GIS conversion)

"Geodatabase"

• The text filter in the Situation Manager has been improved.

• The file import function has been improved.
  It is now possible to import data in Excel, GeoPackage, and SketchUp formats.
• With the introduction of ISO 9613-2:2024, a "Cylindrical" object has been added.
• It is now possible to choose whether or not to include noise sources in the calculations based on the geodatabase.
• The factory building roof editor now includes a "barrel roof" option, in addition to the existing shed and gable roofs. (SY-0124 Factory Noise Propagation Calculation Software)
• Projects performing calculations according to ISO 9613-2:2024 can now set acoustic transmission loss for soundproof wall objects.
• It is now possible to navigate to the location of an error from the error message in the factory building's logbook.
• GeoTIFF images can now be imported as background images.
• It is now possible to import elevation point data from GeoTIFF images.

"School"

• Filtering based on spectrum type has been added to each library.
• The date the library was modified is now displayed.
• A reference value library has been added to support the calculation function for psychoacoustic evaluation indices.

"Calculation"

• Contour calculation and display for building walls and roofs are now possible. (SY-0134 Building Wall Sound Pressure Level Display Software)
• Outdoor noise calculations can now calculate three types of psychoacoustic evaluation indices: loudness, sharpness, and tonality (strongest tone). (Sound reception point, noise map)
• ISO 9613-2:2024 has been adopted. (SY-0123 Industrial Noise Propagation Calculation Software)
  Improvements have been made to the prediction methods for industrial noise and wind turbine noise.

"Graphics"

• The occupied area can now be displayed using a color scale.

We have added support for Windows® 11.

We have added support for the road traffic noise prediction method "ASJ RTN-Model 2018".

"SoundPLAN Manager"

• SoundPLAN's various settings (global folders, printers, internet updates, etc.) are now consolidated into a single settings screen.

"Geodatabase"

• We have made significant improvements to the GUI.
• A bitmap manager has been introduced, improving the traditional image loading functionality.
• Object properties can now be copied to other objects of the same type.
• When copying objects, you can now copy one object and then duplicate it as multiple objects.
• When copying an object, you can now flip it and paste it in a symmetrical position.
• The previous "right-angle mode" has been discontinued, and an input method using "angle mode" has been introduced.
• The default rotation center for objects has been changed to the object's center of gravity.
• It is now possible to save distance measurement objects.
• The GUI for importing text data and shapefiles (ESRI shapefiles, importable with "SY-0147 GIS Conversion") has been improved.
• CityGML import is now available. ("SY-0147 GIS Conversion")
• It is now possible to export objects entered into a geodatabase in KML format. ("SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool")
• When exporting objects entered into a geodatabase, as well as contours from a grid noise map displayed graphically, as shapefile data, a projection file (a file containing descriptions defining the data's coordinate system and reference system) necessary for importing into other GIS software is now created. ("SY-0147 GIS Conversion")
• The functionality of factory building objects has been improved.
  ① We will begin supporting the indoor acoustics calculation method "Sound Particle Diffraction (SPD method*)".
  *The SPD method was developed by a research team led by Professor Uwe Stephenson of HafenCity University in Hamburg and introduced by SoundPLAN GmbH, the German developer of SoundPLANnoise. It generates particles randomly from a sound source and calculates the propagation of particle energy, including reflection (absorption), diffraction of barriers, and transmission.
  ② A "variable" setting has been introduced to allow you to specify whether or not to include noise sources and obstacles in the calculation conditions within the factory building object.
  ③ It is now possible to group together barrier objects that have been entered individually.
  ④ When loading preliminary drawings inside factory buildings, it is now possible to use the "Bitmap Manager" in the same way as for outdoor areas.
• The "Create Parallel Objects" geotool now displays a preview instantly based on the distance you enter.
• The issue of repetitive rendering that occurred when the system was under heavy load with many objects loaded has been resolved.

"School"

• The character limit for data names (element names) can now be changed as needed. The default limit is 80 characters (alphanumeric characters), but this can now be changed to remove the limit entirely.
• Previously, the correction values for each frequency in frequency weighting were handled to three decimal places. Starting with Version 9.0, only frequency weighting A is now handled to one decimal place (this matches the frequency weighting values shown in IEC 61672-1:2013, Table 3, which also use one decimal place).

"Calculation"

• The lateral diffraction method has been changed in the Japanese prediction methods "ASJ CN-Model 2007" (SY-0123 Industrial Noise Propagation Calculation Software) and "Japan Narrow Gauge Railways (Conventional Railway Noise Prediction Method)" (SY-0122 Railway Noise Propagation Calculation Software). Please note that this change will result in differences in calculation results between Version 8.1 and Version 9.0. (Version 9.0 introduces the Japanese road traffic noise prediction method "ASJ RTN-Model 2018". Lateral diffraction is not calculated in ASJ RTN-Model 2018.)
• In "Japan Narrow Gauge Railways (Prediction Method for Conventional Railway Noise)," when an elevated railway was set, the lateral diffraction of sound radiated from the top surface of the elevated structure was not calculated. However, from Version 9.0 onwards, it is now possible to perform calculations that include lateral diffraction.
• When using the Japanese prediction method "ASJ CN-Model 2007" for calculations, it was previously possible to select "Use the shortest path (using cylindrical coordinates) for calculating excess paths" as the method for calculating diffraction correction. However, this option has been discontinued in Version 9.0.
• In addition to grid noise maps, there is another method for calculating horizontal sound pressure level distribution called "urban noise maps" (a function of "SY-0134 Building Wall Sound Pressure Level Display Software"). This name has been changed to "mesh noise maps".
• In Nord2000's propagation calculation method, there was a tendency for the diffraction correction amount to be large when the terrain was uneven and the receiving point was set lower than the noise source. This problem has been resolved by revising Nord2000's prediction method, and this has been reflected as a program fix in Version 9.0.
• When calculating a Digital Ground Model (DGM) using a situation created in a geodatabase, objects whose height is set using "relative height" will no longer be used in the DGM calculation.
• When multiple types of noise sources, such as road noise, railway noise, and industrial noise, are set in a situation, you can now select in the calculation properties whether or not to include these noise sources in the calculation.
• Previously, when calculating grid noise maps, it was possible to perform parallel calculations by assigning 9x9 calculation points to CPU threads. However, starting with Version 9.0, the calculation speed has been improved by further distributing the 9x9 calculation points.
• Previously, displaying the "Graphics" tab during calculations would slow down the calculation speed due to the increased rendering load. In Version 9.0, the calculation speed is now maintained even when the "Graphics" tab is displayed.
• The "SY-0124 Factory Noise Propagation Calculation Software" now includes a "Mesh Noise Map" calculation function. The "Mesh Noise Map" is a useful function when calculating using the SPD method. (It cannot be used with calculations using VDI 3760.)
• In Version 9.0, two bugs were fixed in "ASJ CN-Model 2007" (SY-0123 Industrial Noise Propagation Calculation Software) and "Japan Narrow Gauge Railways (Conventional Railway Noise Prediction Method)" (SY-0122 Railway Noise Propagation Calculation Software).
  ① Correction of lateral diffraction calculation when additional elements are added to a sound barrier built from the ground.
  ② Correction of lateral diffraction calculations above the building

"Graphics"

• When the calculation results and situation of the indoor grid noise map are loaded, the object display corresponding to the variables used in the calculation is automatically reflected in the object display within the factory building.
• The system can now read the calculation results for indoor sound receiving points and display the magnitude of the sound pressure level at those points using a color scale.
• When displaying calculation results such as grid noise maps in graphics, you previously had to select a situation file or geofile to display along with the calculation results. However, a new feature has been added that automatically loads the geofile used in the calculation, even if only the calculation results have been loaded.
• The "Distance Measurement" object can now be saved in a geodatabase and displayed graphically (a feature of the "SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool").
• In graphics, a "Results Manager" has been introduced to make it easier to switch between calculation results for each frequency of a grid noise map, or between daytime and nighttime calculation results.

Introduction of the new option "SY-0125 Indoor Acoustic Index Calculation Software"

• The "SY-0125 Indoor Acoustic Index Calculation Software," when used in combination with the "SY-0124 Factory Noise Propagation Calculation Software," has the functionality to calculate indoor acoustic indexes such as reverberation time and STI (Speech Intelligibility), as well as the impulse response from the sound source to the receiving point. This impulse response can then be convolved into the audio data to make the audio audible with added reverberation.
• Room acoustic indicators such as reverberation time and STI are calculated using the "Sound Particle Diffraction (SPD) method," which has been supported since SoundPLANnoise Version 9.0.

We have added support for Windows® 10.

"SoundPLAN Manager"

• The SoundPLAN Manager screen displayed at startup has been updated.

"Geodatabase"

• You can now use PDF files as image data for preliminary sketches.
• The properties screen for factory building objects has been redesigned, making it easier to configure settings.
  (SY-0124 Factory Noise Propagation Calculation Software)
• Coordinate information has been integrated into the object's properties.
• In setting the number of floors in a building, it is now possible to set a different height for only the first floor.
• It is now possible to import OpenStreetMap and Google Maps data, replacing the previous Google Earth.
  (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)
• It is now possible to view a list of the frequency characteristics and 24-hour level fluctuations of all noise sources included in a given situation.
• A new object, "Stage," has been introduced. It is now possible to import speaker array data (speaker system orientation) configured using "ArrayCalc," software provided free of charge by d&b audiotechnik GmbH. This can be used for propagation calculations, such as those for concerts and events.

"Calculation"

• The calculation results for each group of sound sources defined in the geodatabase can now be displayed in the results table and graphics.
• It is now possible to calculate grid noise maps on a frequency-by-frequency basis.

"Result table"

• The export function for detailed calculation results tables has been improved, including the ability to output in XLS and CSV formats, and the ability to copy to the Windows clipboard.

"Graphics"

• Images copied to the clipboard can now be pasted into the sheet.
• The calculation results (contours) of the grid noise map can now be exported as a KML file. This means that the grid noise map calculated by SoundPLANnoise can be displayed in software that can display KML file data (Google Earth, other GIS software, etc.).
  (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)

"School"

• It is now possible to input frequency characteristics such as sound power level, sound absorption coefficient, and transmission loss, including the ultra-low frequency band down to 1 Hz. This makes it possible to calculate both the audible range above 25 Hz and the ultra-low frequency band below 20 Hz simultaneously.
• The definition of the center frequencies for 1/3 octave and 1/1 octave has been changed from the conventional method of using the center frequency to a method in which 1 Hz in the 1/3 octave band is designated as band number "0", and band numbers are assigned to each frequency band in the 1/3 octave band, and the center frequency is defined based on these. This change results in differences between Version 7.3 and Version 7.3 in propagation calculations for industrial noise sources given sound power levels with frequency characteristics, including diffraction correction amounts, correction amounts for reflective surfaces using the slit method during reflection, and attenuation due to air absorption.
• The GUI for the directional library has been improved.

"Geodatabase"

• It is now possible to suspend buildings and factory structures from the ground and perform propagation calculations in the space beneath them.
• A windmill sound source object has been introduced.
• The angle setting function for the directional library applied to industrial noise sources has been improved.
• The GUI for factory buildings has been improved, making it possible to set multiple acoustic power levels with different operating rates on a single transmissive surface (the surface radiating to the outside).
• A new feature has been added that allows you to create geotext objects by referencing the attribute information of an object.
  (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)
• A "pre-check" function has been added to allow you to confirm the situation settings before performing calculations.
• A new feature has been added that allows importing photos with GPS data. (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)
• When exporting situation data in DXF format, it is now possible to export it with each object type separated into its own layer.

"Calculation"

• In the sound reception point calculation, selecting "Detailed Calculation Results Table" as the data to save has been improved so that "Retaining Tolerance Error" is automatically set to "Contribution Level for Each Noise Source".
• The distribution calculation socket server now includes a feature to limit its operating time. (SY-0148 Noise Map Distribution Calculation Tool)
• A new feature has been added that allows you to extract and use a portion of the Digital Ground Model (DGM) from a wide-area DGM.

"Graphics"

• It is now possible to transfer map object type settings to a different graphics sheet.
• A feature has been added to the legend that allows you to delete items not used in the graphic sheet all at once.
• The ability to overlay the image used as a base image with the calculation results of the grid noise map in a geodatabase and display them with transparency has been improved. (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)

In addition to the conventional 32-bit program, a 64-bit program is now available.

We have added support for the road traffic noise prediction method "ASJ RTN-Model 2013".

"School"

• The GUI has been improved.
• It is now possible to open and edit libraries for multiple projects simultaneously.

"Geodatabase"

• It is now possible to directly assign the height of the DGM (Digital Ground Model) to the height of an object, even at a later stage.
• When importing DXF files, layers are now displayed sorted alphabetically.
• The buffer creation function has been enhanced.
• The sound absorption settings for sound barriers and floating screen objects have been improved. This allows for the application of frequency characteristics of sound absorption coefficients that take into account the frequency characteristics of their acoustic power levels to calculations for single-value sound sources such as roads and railways.
• The properties of sound barrier objects and road overpass settings now include a setting to treat them as "unified sound barriers" (ASJ RTN-Model 2013).
• A feature has been added to road objects that allows the application of a simplified point source model, suitable for trench/semi-underground roads (ASJ RTN-Model 2013).

"Calculation"

• Settings have been added to strictly comply with the prediction method of the industrial noise prediction method "ISO 9613-2".

"Result table"

• The preview window has been improved, and features such as thumbnail display and search functionality have been added.

"Graphics"

• When displaying the sound pressure level on building walls in 3D, it is now possible to display numerical values as well.
  (SY-0134 Sound pressure level display software for building walls, SY-0144 3D display tool)
• The contour line text display function has been enhanced.
  (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)
• A feature has been added to display additional intervals in the 3D view.
  (SY-0144 3D display tool)

We have added support for Windows® 8.

"SoundPLAN Manager"

• You can now define a default coordinate system/reference system.

"Geodatabase"

• The height of railway objects can now be used in DGM calculations. Additionally, contour lines can now be displayed at arbitrary intervals as a temporary feature while the DGM is loaded.
• The receiving point object now allows temporary receiving point calculations in its properties.
  (When you close the properties, the calculation results will be cleared.)
• The "Attenuation Area" object now features enhanced functionality for setting the parameters used in calculations.
• The "Tree Object" has been introduced (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool). This object allows you to display three types of tree symbols on the graphics (this object is not used in propagation calculations).
• A "Map Object" feature has been introduced. This allows for the display of large-area grid noise maps in graphics by dividing them into multiple grids and zooming in, and also makes it easy to switch between display ranges (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool).
• Features such as line connection, surface simplification, point addition, and height interpolation have been enhanced.
• Numerous shortcut keys have been added.

"Calculation"

• The GUI has been improved.

"Graphics"

• The color adjustment function for the color palette has been improved.
• Elements on graphic sheets, such as color scales and scaling, can now be saved as global data and used in other projects.
• A feature has been added to hide calculation results outside the "Horizontal Plane Calculation Range" object, as well as the object itself.
• When displaying the "Map Section," it is now possible to output the display of each section in various formats.

"Geodatabase"

• It is now possible to define the coordinate system/reference system used for digital maps in geofiles and situations.
• Previously, objects were given two types of height values: "object height" and "ground surface height." To reduce the effort required for height input and prevent errors, this has been changed to a method where only "object height" is entered.
• It is now possible to define the relative height of industrial noise source objects to the Digital Ground Model (DGM). This means that if the DGM changes, the object height will automatically adjust accordingly.
• A "distance measurement object" has been introduced.
• The "Shape Tools" have been introduced, making it easier to create circles (polygons) and rectangles.
• It is now possible to display 3D maps using geodatabases, whereas previously this was only possible with graphics. (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool, SY-0144 3D Display Tool)
• Integration with Google Earth ^™ has been added. This allows you to capture images from Google Earth™ and use them as background images for use in geodatabases, or to overlay them with calculation results in graphics. (SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool)

"Calculation"

• The "Tolerance" function for calculation parameters has been improved.

"Result table"

• The layout functionality, as well as the ability to save/load layouts and reflect them in other result tables, have been improved.

"Graphics"

• It is now possible to display contour lines even in 3D displays.
  (SY-0144 3D display tool)
• It is now possible to display obstacle objects as semi-transparent. (SY-0144 3D Display Tool)
• When creating a PDF file with an overlay of images and calculation results, the problem of calculation results not being displayed when printed as an image has been resolved.

"others"

• Version 7.0 has resolved issues with calculation results for sloped roads and railway bridges, and the space beneath floating screens.
• We have introduced the Nordic forecasting method "Nord2000" in our press release.
• It is now possible to perform calculations that include "uncertainty" in industrial noise calculations.

We have added support for Windows 7.

We have introduced the road traffic noise prediction method "ASJ RTN-Model 2008" and the construction noise prediction method "ASJ CN-Model 2007".

"School"

• The system library now includes frequency characteristics for construction noise and road traffic noise.

"Geodatabase"

• A "Tunnel" object has been added to define road tunnels and blasting noise in construction work.
• A new feature has been added that allows you to arbitrarily create the shape of the tip of the sound barrier.
• By raising the lower part of the sound barrier off the ground, it became possible to perform propagation calculations in that space.
• Previously, in structures combining buildings, floating screens, and soundproof walls, the joints between these components were recognized as diffraction edges. However, improvements have been made to automatically recognize these joints and prevent them from being recognized as diffraction edges.

"Calculation"

• An advanced version of the conventional "inverse ray method," called the "dynamic search method," has been introduced. In the dynamic search method, the positional relationship between all noise sources and the receiving point is determined, and propagation calculations are first performed in free space to select noise sources that contribute to the receiving point. Subsequently, for line sources and surface sources, an efficient division size is determined based on their distance and parameters related to the division algorithm.
• The "Calculation" and "SY-0148 Noise Map Distribution Calculation" functions now support parallel computing using multithreading.
• The "SY-0124 Factory Noise Propagation Calculation Software" now allows for the calculation of vertical cross-sectional sound pressure level distribution. Furthermore, it can now perform propagation calculations in spaces where the lower part of a soundproof wall inside a room is elevated from the ground.

"Graphics"

• It is now possible to set the default font used for legends, color scales, etc.
• The "SY-0144 3D Display Tool" now includes a feature that creates a hazy, blurred effect on distant objects.

We have added support for Windows Vista.

The "Library" now includes a function to convert sound pressure level data to sound power level data using a method that conforms to the standards for acoustic power level measurement.

A new trial calculation function using sample points has been introduced in the "Calculation" section. This makes it possible to efficiently check the differences in calculation results caused by differences in calculation parameters.

A feature has been added that allows you to import sound pressure map data created in text format.

In the "Graphics" section, a new feature called "Sheet Manager" makes it easier to open and close individual sheets and create common representations.

"SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool"
A feature has been added to highlight the calculation range.

It is now possible to apply the sound absorption coefficient frequency characteristics entered in the library to the inner and outer surfaces of the floating screen.

It is now possible to apply sound absorption coefficient and transmission loss to sound barriers in elevated structures.

SY-0146 3D Display Animation Tool

• By combining this with the "SY-0122 Railway Noise Propagation Calculation Software," it is now possible to calculate and visualize the changes in sound pressure distribution when one train passes by.
• A "Camera Track" object has been added, which allows you to set an arbitrary path and move the viewpoint. As a result, the 3D display animation tool, which was previously only available to customers who own "SY-0121 Road Traffic Noise Propagation Calculation Software" or "SY-0122 Railway Noise Propagation Calculation Software," can now be used by customers who own only "SY-0123 Industrial Noise Propagation Calculation Software."

SY-0141 Graphics High-Function Output Tool

• By combining it with the "SY-0144 3D Display Tool," it is now possible to display the image data used as a base image in a geodatabase in 3D, along with the calculation results, on the graphics screen.

In addition to our traditional standalone licenses, we have introduced network licenses.

We have introduced the road traffic noise prediction method "ASJ RTN-Model 2003".

The calculation methods for reflection, multiple diffraction, etc., in the conventional railway noise prediction method and the Japanese industrial noise prediction method have been changed to the method described in ASJ RTN-Model 2003.

We have introduced the construction noise prediction method "ASJ CN-Model 2002".