Preservation of the Department of Defense (DoD) training, testing, and readiness mission requires that the DoD be capable of controlling assessing, managing, and monitoring noise problems in the vicinity of its bases and installations. As a result of noise impacts, the DoD has lost significant mission capability at several installations.

The objective of this research was to provide more technically and legally defensible analyses of the effects of noise from DoD operations. The combined noise model is a dose-response emperical model that provides the means for the DoD to assess and mitigate noise.

The combined noise model was developed in three phases. During Phase I, an initial combined effects model was developed based on the current state-of-the-art technology. During Phase II, the results of other related research, development, test, and engineering (RDT&E) efforts by the Army, Air Force, and NASA as well as international partners were used to revise the Phase I preliminary combined noise effects model. During Phase II, new laboratory and field research focused on specific issues developed by the National Air Standards and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) deliberations and the results from other RDT&E. During Phase III, the combined noise effects model resulting from Phase II was validated in a series of field tests.

This project developed a combined noise model. The model was developed based on the current state-of-the-art technology and through consensus with the ANSI. The results of related research by the Army, Air Force, NASA, and international partners were used to revise the initial model. Measurements on both structural and human responses were completed. A report on blast/sonic boom effect studies and an American National Standard Method for combined effects was issued. This project was completed in FY 1997.

The results of this research and development program contributed significantly to protecting the operational capability of military installations to perform their readiness mission while minimizing noise impacts. This more robust and improved understanding of the issues is manifesting itself as increased public acceptance of Air Installation Compatible Use Zone/Installation Compatible Use Zone studies as well as the noise portions of environmental impact analysis documents (i.e., Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements) for future DoD operations.