The Business Sound bites What do acoustic consultants do during lockdown?

Never did I imagine that during 2020, there would be a global pandemic or that I would be writing a provocative piece for the VPELA Revue. As with most of 2020, everyone is learning to adapt and try something new. Hopefully writing this will not be as disastrous as my first attempt at sourdough or sewing facemasks!

Everyone has noticed a reduction of activity during lockdown periods within Victoria. There seems to be less traffic, less aircraft, and less people wherever you go (within your 5 km radius between the hours of 5 am and 9 pm of course!). I have seen various LinkedIn articles floating around discussing what changes Covid-19 has had on traffic flows and impacts on people using public spaces, but what does this mean for noise?

This reduced activity has started a healthy debate between acousticians around whether noise measurements conducted during lockdown are representative of usual traffic and background / ambient noise levels. Are noise levels recorded during lockdown representative of our ‘normal’ noise environments? Will noise levels ever be the same again? Did my neighbours enjoy my rendition of ‘It’s Because I Love You’ by The Master Apprentices on guitar as much as my mum did over zoom? The answers to these questions remain a mystery for now.

With everyone working from home, ambient noise levels from traffic may be at the lowest they have been for many years or could noise levels be higher during peak periods as cars are travelling faster due to lower traffic volumes. Has the influx of bored children and anguished parents increased the levels experienced in suburban areas? I am sure everyone is as eager as I am to answer these burning questions about their local noise environment. I personally have noticed both of the above scenarios while working from home, as well as learning the names of the local neighbourhood dogs while they are being scolded by their owners. And from the last count we currently have four (4) houses within 50 m being renovated during the pandemic (as I am writing this, I have been listening to the lovely sound of someone planing wood for the last 45 minutes from across the laneway).

Lucky for us the Victorian Division of the Australian Acoustical Society (AAS) has begun the process of coordinating a noise monitoring project. AAS members have commenced measuring noise levels in Melbourne during the lockdown and will repeat measurements again once restrictions have been lifted (whenever that may be). Finally, we may have some answers about the impact of Covid-19 on local noise levels. It is true that

Edward Griffen Marshall Day Acoustics

real heroes don’t wear capes, some hold sound level meters instead!

Victorian members of the AAS have volunteered their front yards, patios and Balinese inspired tropical gardens to help collate the required noise measurements to fulfill this project while abiding with the restrictions that are currently in place. Similar studies have also been commissioned in Paris and Lyon in France, and a similar campaign is being initiated by the UK Institute of Acoustics.

This project has caused me to think, what happens if things don’t go back to normal? What if noise levels do end up lower forever? What will this mean for industry, the planning fraternity, and the everyday Joe/Joelene. Will my local pub all of sudden have less patrons in the beer garden due to excessive patron noise levels rather than social distancing requirements? Will regional areas be experiencing higher noise levels due to the trend of people escaping to the country? Do my neighbours want me to start using headphones while playing the guitar?

It will be interesting to see the impact of Covid-19 on our future noise environments. Noise levels are generally one of the few things that are perceived subjectively between people, and which can add to the complexity of determining a reasonable outcome from a planning perspective.

For some, the sound of jets flying overhead may bring a smile to signify that travel is not that far away, the roar of happily revellers may cause you to reminisce of the AFL Grand Final at the MCG, or the sound of the bobcat next door digging your neighbours new pool may make you understand why noise legislation for industry is important.

It may be a long time before the post lockdown measurements are conducted and this study can be finalised, but just remember that your friendly acoustic consultants are always here and sounding out the answers to your burning questions.

Footnote: My neighbours prefer The Rolling Stones over The Master Apprentices.

Edward is a consultant based in Marshall Day’s Melbourne Office. He graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical and Sustainable Energy Engineering from the University of Adelaide in 2015 and is part of the Marshall Day environmental team.

Edward Griffen EGriffen@marshallday.com