PRODUCT DATA

Predictor — Type 7810 Version 3.0

Software for Prediction and Management of Environmental Noise

What is Predictor?
Predictor™ is a PC-based, multi-user noise
prediction software package. It allows
you to electronically model outdoor noise
levels and contours from various noise
sources such as industry or traffic in a
geographical area.

New Features of Version 3.0

❍ 32-bit software giving faster
calculations and a more intuitive user
interface
❍ Import and export of models to and
from GIS files in SHP format
❍ Export of results to GIS, AutoCAD,
Excel, Surfer, etc., in SHP, ASCII and
DXF formats
❍ Constant-height grid allowing contour
mapping over undulating terrain at
4 m height
❍ Parallel items allowing e.g., addition
of noise barriers parallel to roads
❍ Report of source, receiver and
attenuation levels for each source-
receiver combination
❍ Railway noise according to the Dutch
method (the interim method
recommended by the European
Environmental Noise Directive)

7810
Uses and Features

USES ❍ Creating noise maps based on prediction using real data

❍ Identifying prominent noise sources
❍ Proposing and showing the effect of noise-reduction solutions prior to implementation
❍ Ranking noise sources by SPL
❍ Monitoring and controlling the noise environment of a geographical area
❍ Fulfilling EU IPPC and Environmental Noise Directives

FEATURES ❍ Software modules for ISO 9613.1/9613.2, DAL 32 (Nordic industry), RLM2 (Dutch rail)
and CRTN (UK road) standards available in one license
❍ Automatic creation of point noise-sources and receiver points in model with measured
data (LW, Leq, L10 and L90) taken with 2260 Investigator™
❍ Import DXF files for easy creation of geographical features
❍ Point and/or line sources (module dependent)
❍ Easy-to-use Windows based interface. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 3.51,
NT 4.0, and Windows 2000 are all supported
❍ Multi-user database for all geographical and acoustic data
❍ Integrated sound power database for the creation of your own database of standard
sources
❍ Information exchange with GIS through SHP files

Noise Modelling

Basic Concept
The Predictor software package is a PC-based, Windows-compatible, environmental
noise-modelling programme. Predictor is used to make an electronic model of the
acoustic environment of a geographical area, for the prediction and control of outdoor
noise.

Noise level prediction is a widely used tool for predicting the noise impact of changes
in the noise environment, such as land development, changes to machinery or building
use. This technique is also used to plan or design environments where noise manage-
ment is necessary.

Where Predictor differs from other software packages is in the ease with which a model
is created and maintained, and how clearly major contributors to the environment’s
noise are identified. Predictor’s modular architecture allows it to be used by many types
of customer, e.g.:
❍ Authorities – to aid their duty as environmental noise watchdogs
❍ Industry – to ensure compliance with environmental legislation
❍ Consulting engineers – to identify and provide solutions to noise problems
❍ Educational institutions – to show the principles of noise propagation in the
environment

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 Data Entry
To create your model in Predictor, a geographical model of the area in question must
be generated. You do this using a standard Windows interface. The input data can take
the form of topographical maps in BMP/DXF file format, or digitised maps loaded directly
into Predictor. You assign values to noise sources. These can be “real” values measured
using 2260 Investigator, and downloaded directly into Predictor, along with GPS posi-
tional data. Other sources of noise can be taken from a catalogue of noise sources
available in Predictor (see Fig. 1). Roads can be modelled according to traffic flow.

As the majority of the data required in the model can be input electronically, you can
build up a model very quickly. And polyline items can be connected for more accurate
modelling of intersections and hills. Noise receiver points can be automatically posi-
tioned at a defined, fixed distance from landmarks in your model, such as buildings
and roads, to speed the modelling process. Predictor also offers the choice of displaying
up to 6 receiver heights on the same vertical scale at the one time.

Successive model items of the same type are automatically identified and numbered
incremently if desired.

Calculations can be interrupted, refined, and then resumed without loss of existing
calculation files, reducing total calculation time. Your Predictor database can be com-
pressed/decompressed as required, saving disk space and quickening database ex-
change.

Fig. 1 Tabular results

Predictor’s inputs and outputs 2260E (Results, Attributes,
(LW data) Comparisons, Reductions,
Predictor is designed to accept vast Attenuation)
2260
amounts of data about the real 2260A (SPL data) Graphical views
world using actual noise 2260B (Results, Comparisons,
2260F Colour coded contours ,3D,
measurements (captured using 2260
Cross-section)
Investigator), detailed topographical Other Predictor databases
maps (e.g., 3D AutoCad DXF files or LW data in tab-delimited format Other Predictor databases
GIS data), and other, perhaps smaller, Topographical maps in
more localised Predictor models. The SHP, DXF or BMP formats Printer/Plotter
results can be graphical or tabular, Digitizer
exportable to various types of Spreadsheet/Word
Manual data entry Processors / Surfer
software and peripherals
Auto CAD (DXF format)

Geographical
Information System
(GIS)(SHP format)
010080

Model Refinement
Once you have created a model in Predictor, you can compare predicted values with
real readings taken on-site with 2260 Investigator. This helps you to refine your model.
Receiver points can be created automatically with control values from 2260 Investigator
measurement. This speeds the building of your model while guaranteeing the accuracy
of the receiver points.

It is possible to isolate individual sections of the model for calculations, eliminating the
need to recalculate the entire system for every small change. Individual source-receiver
combinations can be investigated in detail, showing all the attenuation terms, for as-
sessment of the model and the calculation.

Multi-edit of sources and other model items is available for rapid model adjustment
while other simple but powerful tools such as cross-sectional and 3D visualisations help
you build an accurate model.

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 Predictor guards all modifications in a model. Only the results that become invalid due
to acoustic-relevant modifications need to be recalculated. This unique ‘acoustic eye’
feature of Predictor not only reduces calculation time but, more importantly, ensures
consistency between input and results.

Results
The result of calculations can be displayed graphically or as a suite of result tables
(see Fig. 2). You can now very quickly verify that the model represents reality, and
identify noise problems by comparing predicted values to legal limits. In addition,
source, receiver and attenuation levels for each source-receiver combination can be
viewed to evaluate the quality of the calculations and as a help to determine how to
reduce noise levels.

Fig. 2
Some of the model
views and various
output results
available with
Predictor

There are three types of table available for showing the sound level at receiving points:
❍ Tables of results that present actual data, ranked if necessary, to find the maximum
sound level (see Fig. 2)
❍ Tables of comparison, showing compared results from the current model with
reference levels set by measurements, user-defined limits, or another acoustic model
❍ Tables of control, showing the calculated results compared to control values, for
example permitted values. The table can also show the effect of reducing a group of
noise sources when planning reductions.

Noise Reduction and Noise Management

Ranking and Reduction

In complex environments, it can be difficult with traditional techniques to see exactly
how much noise each source contributes to the overall noise picture. Predictor can do
this by ranking the individual noise sources to clearly show the importance of each
source.

The effect of noise reduction can also be studied by introducing a reduction to the
emission of a source (or groups of sources). Predictor makes available immediate “what
if” results, for example, “what if all exhaust ventilators are reduced by 6 dB?” Moreover,

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 colour-coded, sound-pressure contours (see screen picture on front cover) visualise the
situation in an easy to understand way.

Problem Identification − Source and Owner

With traditional measurements, it is often impossible to accurately measure the noise
emission of a single factory or road due to the existence of other noise sources which
cannot be shut off, for example a neighbouring factory. In such cases, sound-power
levels can be measured with 2260 and the results assigned to a factory group created
in the Predictor model. Predictor then takes account of the contribution from the various
noise sources, and is able to “switch off” specific sources allowing easy identification
and isolation of a noise source, and indications of potential noise problems.

Scenario Comparison
Fig. 3 For an existing factory, road infrastructure or area,
Model Manager its future development with respect to noise can
window
be managed. With Predictor’s Model Manager (see
Fig. 3) you create a new scenario for the area to
show the development over a period of time and
to study various alternatives at any given time.
New models, based on a copy of an existing model,
can be created and modified so that you can as-
sign proposed noise reductions to different sourc-
es to see the effect. In addition, you can compare
the noise environment with legal limits.

Predictor also allows you to compare different variants of the same model in tabular
form. This enables you to analyse and document the differences between models, e.g.,
differences in traffic flow, additional buildings, etc. A model’s foreground and back-
ground variations can also be displayed in a table of comparisons showing the differ-
ences in sound levels at receiver points while the model itself can be shown on-screen
with all receiver points displaying their two variant levels for comprehensive compar-
ison and analysis.

Shared Information
Predictor is a multi-user system, allowing several employees to work on different parts
of the same model simultaneously. It is also an integrated package, meaning that the
same user interface is used to access all different types of data. There is no need for
the users to be concerned about where files are stored, or even if they are saved; they
can simply concentrate on their job.

Reporting
When a set of results has been calculated for a particular scenario, it can be printed
or exported into presentation programs or spreadsheets. Predictor can also export
results in ASCII, SHP and DXF formats and into GIS software packages. For example,
making Predictor data available to a demographic model in a GIS, sound level predictions
can be integrated with population density to show how many people will be affected
by proposed changes to a site.

Predictor can also be used to fulfil the requirements of the EU IPPC Directive for
reporting and archiving information of all noise sources and the resulting noise map.

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Fig. 4
Isophone maps.
The two maps show the same
geographical area, centred on a
concrete works by a waterway

The left-hand map shows the noise

environment if a proposal to allow
ships to dock and begin loading
concrete is permitted. Two ships are
active, each has two noise sources, a
loading crane and a ventilation system.
There is a noise-sensitive site on the
North bank of the waterway. You can
see that the noise level here has
increased from below 40 dB (see right-
hand map) to 40 − 45 dB

Noise Mapping
Noise mapping, normally understood as mapping over a large area (for example, of a
large town or even over an entire country – see Fig. 5), typically involves the presentation
of simple acoustic parameters, possibly combined with demographic factors such as
population or house prices, in varying levels of detail. The task is often quite demanding,
both of computer capability and of time. Accurate models often take several days to
calculate, so getting the input data right is important as is the ability to make smaller
models and combine them into larger models.

Fig. 5 Predictor helps make these noise maps either on

Noise map and its own or in combination with GIS tools such as
population
ArcView. Large scale maps with medium-range
exposure statistics
of a large area resolution or small-scale maps with high resolu-
tion can be made using Predictor alone. Larger
maps or combination with demography for pop-
ulation exposure can be done through Predictor’s
interface, as can the import of digital data. Use
of Predictor allows the user to focus on acoustic
modelling with familiar tools thus saving time
and energy and offering a well-defined and doc-
umented interface between the acoustic model
and other software. Different types of high-quality data analysis and presentation are
available, depending on whether Predictor is used stand-alone or not.

Predictor’s advanced model management tools ease the development of current and
future scenarios by doing them in parallel using common data.

You have full control over the level of detail in the map. Small-scale maps can be
extracted to check details and later integrated back into larger maps. In addition you
can also combine the physical levels from different maps in different ways to indicate
multi-source annoyance.

All relevant source types are covered using recognised algorithms, such as the Dutch
railway noise method, and existing digital data such as topography, traffic flow and
measured noise levels can be used to save time and prevent errors.

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 Software Support for Predictor
Predictor Software Support is a service offered by Brüel & Kjær. It is your security for
getting quick and professional help when you need it saving you time and cost. If you
ever have a software problem with Predictor, the Software Support agreement entitles
you to help by:
❍ E-mail
❍ Fax
❍ Telephone

Brüel & Kjær will send you a response with the answer to your Predictor problem no
more than 2 working days1 after we have received your request.

1. All working days from 09.00 − 17.00 Central European Time

(Closed at weekends and Danish Public Holidays)
America: + time difference to CET
Far East and Asia: + time difference to CET

Specifications Type 7810

Industrial Site: Attenuation (dB/km); 1/1-oct. bands
Functional Specifications Foliage Region: Height above ground level
Point Receiver: Height above ground level
CALCULATION METHOD Grid Receivers: Distance between receivers, number of receivers
Depending on which specific option is chosen, the algorithm for Surface Contour: Defined by 3D coordinates
calculating the propagation of sound from source to receiver via
VIEW PROPERTIES
intermediate items is based upon:
Zoom: In and out of specified rectangular area
• ISO 9613.1 and 9613.2
Items: Specification of colour, internal hatching, symbol, line
• DAL 32 (Nordic industry method) style, text labels
• CRTN-88 (UK road method) Background: Topographical maps in DXF or BMP format
• RLM2 (Dutch rail method) imported onto model area as a model base
MODEL PROPERTIES Cross-section: Elevation view of surface contours at a defined
Model Area: Expressed in metres to 2 decimal places; defined line
by user when a new area is created. Maximum size in x and y 3D View: Perspective view of chosen area from a user-defined
direction is 2000 km × 2000 km viewpoint
Model Items: Up to 16000 items (sources, receiver points, RESULTS DISPLAY
buildings, etc.) with up to 10000 receiver points in each grid. On Screen: Annotated maps, coloured contour maps or tables
MODEL ITEMS (see below)
(Including important item parameters) Periods: 4 user-defined plus 1 compound (day, evening, night,
Types of items available and their nomenclature are dependent 24 hr LDN, LDEN etc.)
on the variant Table of Results: Shows calculated results at each specified
Point Source (not available in CRTN and RLM2): % emission per receiver, either total or octave values
hour, emission; 1/1-oct. bands from 31 Hz to 8 kHz, Lw (dB(A)), Table of Comparisons: Shows the difference in SPL between two
reduction (dB) and Lw(tot)(dB(A)) specified scenarios of the model − a “before and after” or “what
Line Sources (ISO 9613 only): Polyline source, parameters as point if” tool
source but Lw is defined per metre Table of Control: Shows calculated values compared to permitted
Road (ISO 9613 only): Polyline source, distribution (daily traffic values with ranking to identify the possible solutions to noise
flow and its distribution over periods, and 4 vehicle types), or reduction. Table of control also shows which groups (for
traffic flow (number of vehicles in 4 types), speed, gradient and example, a specified factory site) that need to have reduced
surface. noise to fulfil requirements
Road (CRTN only): Polyline source or traffic flow (light and heavy CALCULATION
vehicles), speed, gradient and surface Calculation Features: Start; Test; Selective; Stop; Pause; Resume;
Railway (RLM2 only): Track construction, flow per train category, Batch
speed, stop-fraction Calculation Parameters (ISO 9613):
Building: profile correction (0 or 2 dB), reflection; 1/1-oct. bands • Meteorological Correction: C0
Barrier: Polyline, reflection factor • Ground Attenuation: Factor from 0.00 to 1.00
Ground Region: Ground factor • Temperature: Kelvin
Housing Region: Surface density (%) • Pressure: kPa

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 • Humidity: Relative% Clipboard: Tables and screen pictures can be copied for inclusion
• Air Absorption: dB / km in 1/1-oct. bands from 31 Hz to 8 kHz in other Windows programs
Export: To other Predictor databases and GIS systems (ASCII, SHP,
INPUT TO MODEL POI and DXF formats)
Actual Measured Data: Automatic creation of receiver points Printing: Graphical display with extra annotation printable to all
from Leq, L10 and L90 measured with 2260 Investigator with GPS standard Windows output devices
positional data Print Model: Print preview available as well as option of
Automatic creation of point sources from Lw measured with selectively removing components, such as GPS reference points
2260 Investigator (with GPS positional data) and ground regions, from the model as desired. Storing and re-
Import: From other Predictor databases using of multiple plot settings possible
Digitizer: For specifying item position coordinates, for example
relative to an existing map.
DXF File Import: 3D coordinates extracted from DXF layers to Computer System
create surface contours or background map
BMP File Import: Coloured pixel map
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
SHP File Import: All items (for import from GIS) Pentium® II 350 MHz with Windows NT
SOUND POWER MANAGER 64 Mb RAM
Database of sound power in 1/3-octave At least 50 Mb of free disk space, plus the disk space used as a
Input: Manual, from 2260 Investigator, from spreadsheet or other working area
database via text file. Direct input of sound power levels with CD-ROM drive
positional data is also possible SVGA graphics display/adaptor
Fields: Sources, type, device, industry, sound power, Mouse or other pointing device
measurement method, measurement date, source height,
literature references, notes For larger Predictor models, these requirements should be
greatly exceeded in order to improve data handling speed.
Filter Options: By any user-selected field

OUTPUT Operating System: Predictor works with Windows 95, Windows

On Screen: Results displayed in tabular or graphical form 98, Windows NT 3.51, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000

Ordering Information
Type 7810 Predictor Version 3.0
includes the following calculation modules: Accessories Available

• General Noise (ISO method) 2260 Investigator

• Road Traffic Noise (ISO method)
• Industrial Noise (Nordic method)
• Road Traffic Noise (CRTN method) Services Available
• Railway Noise (Dutch method)
7810 SIF Predictor Installation
7810 MS1 Predictor Software Maintenance and Upgrade
and includes the following accessories:
7810 MS2 Predictor Software Maintenance and Upgrade
Program on CD-ROM (all modules included in the one license) 7810 SH1 Predictor Software Support
Program protection key 7810 ED1 Predictor Basic Training (at Brüel & Kjær HQ, local
User Manual Brüel & Kjær office or at customer site)

Brüel & Kjær reserves the right to change specifications and accessories without notice

Rosendahls Bogtrykkeri
01/06
BP 1602 −19

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