NOISE-PROPAGATION IN THE AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

A readily available method for predicting the noise propagated from an agricultural enterprise to the farm boundary would enable this noise to be more easily reduced. This paper reviews the theory and practice of outdoor sound propagation modelling. The contributions of geometric divergence, atmospheric absorption, barriers, the ground effect and m eteorological conditions are described. Theoretical models and empiric al schemes for predicting noise propagation are considered. The import ance of the ground effect indicates potential for reducing environment al noise through farmland management. Current limitations on the abili ty to predict noise propagated over farm land are owing to a lack of k nowledge about the characteristics of typical field surfaces, difficul ty in modelling some typical meterological conditions and the long com putation times required.