1. Introduction
The Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) developed by the UK Department of Transport is methodology recommended in the Hong Kong Standards Planning and Guidelines (HKPSG) and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process for road traffic noise prediction.
Currently, there are various commercial or in-house softwares available for predicting road traffic noise according to CRTN. However, these softwares have different input data formats and, it is difficult to exchange the input data for prediction using a different software.
A Traffic Noise Modelling Standard Data Exchange (TNMSDX) protocol has been formulated to provide guidelines for the preparation of input data in a standard ASCII format. A software for conversion of input data formats from those of road traffic noise computation models commonly used in Hong Kong to the standard format, TNMSDX protocol, has also been developed for the following purposes:
(i) Providing a good quality input data for future reference
Consultants involved in detailed design and review stages should be benefited from having a good quality input data prepared previously during preliminary or feasibility stages for reference.
(ii) Minimizing resources for transferring data
It is no longer necessary to rebuild the input data due to incompatible data definition of various computation models.
(iii) Facilitating the vetting of road traffic noise model input data from various computation models
With the protocol and conversion software, the vetting of road traffic noise model input data could be achieved by directly examining the data file in the format of the proposed protocol.
Professionals and consultants may freely download the conversion software and user manual for use.
