Construction noise rating based on legal and health impacts

Existing construction noise regulations have limitations in solving the problems of declining the profitability of construction companies and the quality of life of affected occupants due to construction noise. This study developed a construction noise rating system that can evaluate the impact of construction noise over a large area. To develop the construction noise rating system, the numbers of occupants exposed to construction noise by exposure noise level were estimated at the regional level, and the legal and health impacts of construction noise were evaluated. Finally, the rating system classified construction noise into four grades (Grades A to D) by clustering the results of these regional evaluations. The developed rating system is expected to not only prevent environmental disputes between occupants and construction companies by considering both the legal and health impacts, but also provide acoustic comfort to regional communities through the efforts of construction companies to reduce construction noise.