Environmental noise and vibration from industrial sites, power plants, landfill and waste transfer sites, and transportation sources (road, rail, and air) can be a major concern to the public. RWDI has been involved in hundreds of environmental assessments and regulatory permitting for sites throughout Ontario and around the world.

Through the use of specialty environmental monitoring equipment and computerized impact prediction models, RWDI's team of noise engineers routinely help our clients manage their noise and vibration emissions, to avoid resident complaints and to meet regulatory limits.

RWDI's capabilities include:

• Versatile, expert staff specialized in acoustics, noise and vibration issues
• Measurements of existing ambient noise and vibration conditions, to establish future impacts and guideline limits.
• Measurements of noise/vibration emission levels from existing equipment.
• Detailed environmental impact models, to predict on-site and off-site noise levels for comparison with regulatory and contractual limits.
• An extensive in-house library of noise emission data, and noise and vibration mitigation solutions for various types of equipment.
• Creation of noise contours (isopleths of similar noise levels) suitable for public presentation as part of public open houses.
• Compliance monitoring of noise levels.

Working closely with our industrial and government clients, our expertise is used in assessment and solution developments in the following key areas:

• Consultations / Design reviews
• Industrial noise and vibration control
• Permits and approvals
• Environmental impact assessments
  Noise modeling
• Noise mitigation technology evaluation
• Expert testimony
• Planning studies
• Public involvement

Typical projects:

• Certificate of Approval (Air) Noise Assessments and Acoustic Audits, to ensure industrial facilities meet MOE NPC-205 / NPC-207 / NPC-232 and/or other applicable local requirements.  Development of required noise and vibration mitigation measures, and negotiation of implementation plans with regulatory agencies.
• Noise and vibration modelling and impact assessment for new or expanding roadways, and new or expanding transportation systems (bus routes, light and heavy rail transportation systems, airports).  Development of noise and vibration mitigation measures.  Public presentation of results.
• Noise and vibration impact assessment of new or expanding landfills, pits and quarries, to meet MOE, MNR and/or other applicable local requirements. Development of noise and vibration mitigation measures.
• Noise and vibration assessments for new or expanding power plants, co-generation plants, wind turbine farms, etc., to meet MOE Regulation 116 Environmental Screening Process and/or other applicable local requirements.  Development of noise and vibration mitigation measures.  Public presentation of results.
• Land Use Planning feasibility and detailed studies for new residential development, assessing the impacts of adjacent transportation noise and vibration sources (road, railway and air) and "stationary" sources such as commercial and industrial lands. Development of noise and vibration mitigation measures.  Specification of required wall and window types, barrier heights and locations, input into site layout and design.
• Occupational health and safety (OSHA, MOL) noise and vibration measurements and controls for worker protection.  Indoor noise and vibration mitigation measures, to ensure adequate noise and vibration environments in control spaces and at operator positions.
• Measurements of equipment noise emission levels (external and in-cab levels), for comparison and certification with MOE NPC-115, SAE, or other applicable guidelines.  Development of noise and vibration mitigation measures.

RWDI industrial noise services:

Industrial Noise & Vibration Control 

Developing practical and innovative solutions to industrial noise and vibration problems, for both the internal and external environments, using highly specialized acoustical measurement equipment and analytical methods.

Permits & Approvals 

Helping clients to obtain needed permits and approvals by combining expert technical analysis with reliable advice regarding how to work effectively with regulatory agencies.

Environmental Impact Assessments 

Determining and thoroughly documenting the impacts of industrial, energy sector and transportation noise issues.  Assessments for siting studies, control of operation impacts and noise audits can be performed.

Noise Modeling 

Applying a wide range of state-of-the-art noise prediction models to industrial, energy sector and transportation noise issues.

Noise Mitigation Technology Evaluation 

Thoroughly evaluating alternative technologies to help clients select cost-effective noise mitigation approaches.

Expert Testimony 

Recognized specialists provide expert testimony before the courts, other judicial and regulatory bodies.

Planning Studies 

Assessing the impact of new or modified noise sources (industry, energy sector, airport and transportation) and of proposed changes to land-use, for residential or commercial development.

Public Involvement 

Facilitating and supporting effective public input to environmental noise issues, through reporting, public presentations and audio demonstrations.

RWDI resources:

Environmental Noise Propagation Models 

Computational noise models include ENM, Cadna/A and custom developed software based on the ISO-9613 standard.  Transportation noise models include TNM, INM, HNM, STAMSON, STAMINA, CRTN and MicroNEF.

Specialized Noise And Vibration Equipment 

Including an array of integrating sound level meters, analog and digital audio recorders, accelerometers and vibration transducers, and real-time frequency analysis tools for both attended and unattended monitoring.

Extensive Reference Library 

Including manufacturer’s data on a wide variety of equipment, and accepted standards for predicting source noise emission levels where manufacturer’s data is not available.

Versatile Expert Staff 

Specialized in acoustics, noise and vibration issues.

Additional information: