Development of an acoustic ray-trace model, high-resolution boundary-layer measurements, and meso-G scale forecasts driven by off-range, blast-noise management requirements

Increasing residential encroachment around military installations worldwide threatens continuation of vital testing and training operations due to environmental impact complaints. Blast-noise propagation into surrounding communities constitutes a significant portion of the problem at many locations. Because of its site in the populous northeastern corridor, the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) pioneered an aggressive daily blast-noise management program two decades ago that can serve as a model for other installations. This paper describes how that effort has lead to progressive refinements in an acoustic ray-trace model called the Noise Assessment and Prediction System (NAPS). To effectively support daily operational decisions, NAPS has required increased resolution in atmospheric boundary-layer measurements and in mesoscale meteorological modeling. Present meteorological modeling is nearly at the level where NAPS could be used to manage blast-noise somewhat effectively at locations without the meteorological and acoustic infrastructure that exists at APG.