SPL Monitoring Tool for Events on Campus: Improvement of the Methods to minimise Noise Exposure

In recent years, the Inffeldgasse campus has become one of the most popular venues for open-air events for TU Graz students. The use of electro-acoustic sound systems at these very events often results in complaints from local residents. For this reason, a noise monitoring station was installed in cooperation with the Graz Environmental Office, which enables the event organisers to monitor the sound pressure levels and, if necessary, to control them in a targeted manner. In order to ensure the least possible noise exposure in accordance with the statutory guidelines, both A- and C-weighted sound pressure levels, as well as their difference should be kept below specified limit values.This contribution investigates the sound propagation on campus and the sound immission in the neighbourhood. Furthermore, it is examined whether maintaining the specified limit values leads to compliance with the statutory guidelines.Initially, a simulation of the sound propagation on campus is carried out. In a next step, the simulation results are verified by measurements under conditions close to the application. The comparison of measurement and simulation serves as a basis to investigate the suitability of the specified limit values and to develop alternative methods.