The RCNM is a computer program used to assess construction noise impacts. The computer on which it is installed should be equipped with the Microsoft Windows 98 or newer operating system (OS) and 192 MB or more of random access memory (RAM). The display should be set to 1024 x 768 pixels or greater, and the computer should carry the Adobe Acrobat 4.0 or newer software.
The RCNM allows the estimation of three key metrics of interest: Lmax, Leq, and L10 at receptor locations for a construction operation that can include up to 20 pieces of equipment. RCNM allows for user-defined construction equipment and user-defined noise limit criteria. The two main uses of the RCNM are to allow typical computer users to: 1. easily predict noise emissions from construction equipment, and 2. determine a construction work plan's compliance with noise criteria limits. A variety of construction work scenarios can be created quickly, allowing the user to determine the impact of changing construction equipment and adding/removing the effects of shielding due to noise mitigation devices such as barriers.
The RCNM consists of one main display page with Input Data and Results sections, shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. The RCNM main page
Several command buttons and pull-down menus allow the user to modify the input data before results are calculated by the model.
