Project Experience

Industrial & Energy, Transportation

Ports

About These Projects

We have worked with ports and port tenants on numerous projects. Our experience includes baseline, construction and post-construction noise and vibration monitoring programs, comprehensive noise modelling, vibration prediction and impact assessment to recognized standards, the design of noise and vibration controls for both the workplace and the community, and public engagement.

Common Acoustical Challenges:

Back-up alarms and terminal equipment
Low-frequency vessel noise
Marine construction noise
Rail whistling, shunting and truck traffic
Permitting for expansions
Long-term community noise monitoring

Cascadia Grain Terminals

Vancouver, BC

Comprehensive noise and vibration survey performed in mill with noise management plan provided and vibration controls recommended to reduce whole body vibration. Noise diagnostics and mitigation provided for fan/blower using FFT to identify problem unit and reduce tone in community.

Centerm Alarms Noise Assessment

Vancouver, BC

BKL was retained by the Port in response to complaints by residents adjacent to Centerm of excessive noise from equipment alarms. Unattended noise monitors were set up to record both noise data and audio files, which permitted identification and assessment of alarm and other terminal noise.

Deltaport Container Terminal 3rd Berth Project

Delta, BC

BCEAA/CEAA Review for the proposed 3rd Berth. Noise monitoring undertaken and noise impacts from construction and operation of the proposed 3rd Berth were predicted. BKL participated in public consultation and preparation of the EA report for submission to regulatory agencies. BKL also conducted four weeks of continuous noise monitoring during construction for the purpose of investigating residents’ complaints of noise from dredging. The study included interviews and meeting with complainants, tracking of ship movements and weather conditions and analysis of noise measurement data, including recorded audio files.

Deltaport Shipboard Generator Noise Assessment

Tsawwassen, BC

In response to complaints from Tsawwassen residents of low frequency noise from shipboard generators at Deltaport, BKL was retained by Terminal Systems Incorporated (TSI) to investigate the problem. BKL carried out several weeks of noise monitoring at a beach-side residence in Tsawwassen and instructed a TSI staff member on how to measure the near-field noise emitted from all visiting ships throughout the monitoring period. Results were then correlated according to time and frequency spectra.

Deltaport Terminal Road & Rail Improvement Project

Delta, BC

Noise and vibration assessment of upgraded road and rail infrastructure for CEAA permit application. Included extensive noise and vibration monitoring (up to 14 days) at sensitive receptors, construction and operations noise and vibration prediction, effects assessments and public consultation.

Lafarge Batch Plant Project

Vancouver, BC

Noise assessment of waterfront sites proposed for concrete batch plant using detailed noise source measurements, community baseline measurements and detailed predictions using a Cadna/A noise model.

Low Level Road Project

North Vancouver, BC

Preliminary and detailed design, environmental noise and vibration impact assessments and noise mitigation design for road and rail project. Included baseline monitoring, detailed Cadna/A computer modelling to assess impacts at 100+ residences and to design noise mitigation, and extensive public consultation.

Neptune Bulk Terminals (NBT) Improvements Project

North Vancouver, BC

Comprehensive noise source measurements, Cadna/A model and noise impact assessment to cover environmental permit applications for three major NBT projects, followed by noise mitigation design engineering during the detailed design phase.

Philip Avenue Overpass Project

North Vancouver, BC

Noise assessment for new overpass eliminating train whistling. Noise barrier design for shunting yard using Cadna/A and sound source height determination using Norsonic 848 Acoustic Camera system with 256 microphones.

Port of Vancouver Noise Monitoring Program

BKL is currently working with the Port to manage their permanent noise monitoring terminals (NMTs). This includes analysis of trends, events and reporting. Previously, BKL helped select appropriate NMT locations along the new Low Level Road, including one temporary location during construction. Detailed analyses were performed at each site to determine automatic triggers that could be set during implementation phase.

Port of Vancouver Noise & Nuisance Management and Monitoring Plans

In partnership with the Port’s environment and communications staff, BKL developed two comprehensive guidelines to help the Port manage noise and nuisances in its four major trade areas. Included in-person interviews with Port tenants to better understand Port operations and constraints.

Richardson Terminal Grain Storage Project

North Vancouver, BC

Included extended baseline noise monitoring program, detailed noise source measurements and analyses, detailed Cadna/A model development, analysis of noise mitigation alternatives, extensive reporting and public consultation to support environmental permit application.

Schnitzer Metal Shredder Project

Surrey, BC

Detailed noise source and noise receiver measurements, Cadna/A model development, noise impact assessment and noise mitigation recommendations for environmental permit application. Postconstruction noise monitoring showed that resulting noise levels achieved goals and did not exceed predicted levels.

South Shore Corridor Improvement Project

Vancouver, BC

Road and rail noise impact assessment at 100+ residences due to increased traffic with new overpass and track expansion, with baseline monitoring and Cadna/A modelling, followed by detailed noise source mitigation investigations.

Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Facility Project

Richmond, BC

BKL assessed potential noise impacts from a proposed marine terminal, fuel transfer facilities and pipeline to be built on the Fraser River in Richmond and helped to prepare the noise component of the Canada Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) certificate application.

VanTerm Alarms Noise Assessment

Vancouver, BC

In response to residents’ complaints, BKL performed attended and unattended measurements on both sides of Burrard Inlet to rate alarm noise. Truck cab measurements were performed and a Cadna/A model was developed to investigate noise control options while addressing safety concerns.

Words From Our Clients

“BKL was able to establish a single ‘Port Noise Rating’ metric that considered both the sound levels and the number of residents in proximity of port operations. This metric has allowed the Port to track long-term noise impacts and communicate the technical information in a concise and straightforward manner, which is appreciated by staff and various stakeholders. We value BKL for their technical knowledge, expertise, and attention to detail.”

Gary Olszewski

Environmental Specialist at Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Featured Case Study

Transportation

Port of Vancouver Noise Monitoring Program

Managed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the Port of Vancouver comprises over 350 kilometers of shoreline, 1,000 hectares of land, and 16,000 hectares of water. From Roberts Bank in the south to Burrard Inlet in the north, this area borders 16 municipalities, and the traditional territories and treaty lands of several First Nations. The Port is a major economic contributor in Canada: Over 147 million tonnes of cargo passed through in 2018. To facilitate this much activity, the Port operates all day, every day. Trucks, trains, and tenant operations need to keep pace. But such levels of transportation and operational activity can be noisy. The Port has grown over the years, and so have neighbouring communities. This ups the potential for Port-related noise to affect businesses and homes in surrounding areas. Between 2013 and 2015, the Port installed 11 permanent noise monitoring terminals (NMTs) along the north and south shores of Burrard Inlet and at Roberts Bank to measure Port-related noise in nearby communities and address community noise concerns. BKL was involved in the planning process to advise on selecting appropriate NMT locations along the new Low Level Road. The NMTs continually log sound data in or near communities potentially affected by noise from the Port. In 2014, the Port wanted to better interpret the data it was collecting. The Port approached BKL and together they further developed the long-term noise monitoring program. BKL worked with the Port to configure the NMTs, establish relevant noise metrics, set up noise alerts, export and analyze data, model noise in the community, and produce quarterly and annual reports. BKL developed a unique one-number metric known as the Port Noise Rating (PNR) so the Port could better understand the significance of measured noise levels at each NMT. The PNR relates measured sound levels and potential impacts to surrounding communities based on detailed 3-D noise modelling and recent census data. The PNR allows the Port to interpret the reams of data gathered at the NMTs and understand how Port-related noise fits into the greater soundscape of each community. BKL identifies anomalies and trends in the noise data and keeps the Port apprised of issues, as well as opportunities to further improve the noise monitoring methodology or accuracy of the PNR. In this ongoing project, BKL shares technical advice and best practices with Port staff operating the program and guides them in managing noise data and observing changes in noise levels. The firm also delivers quarterly reports and annual summaries, and helped the Port establish a system to deal with noise complaints. What's more, BKL developed supporting documentation for Port operations staff and key messaging for each NMT for the Port's website. By creating a one-number metric, the PNR, BKL gave the Port an effective and efficient way to interpret the data from its noise monitoring program—despite the complexity of Port-related noise. The metric helped the Port meet its goals in setting up this long-term monitoring program and continues to provide an efficient way to track long-term patterns and understand how Port noise affects nearby communities. Have a project in mind? Get in touch today.

Learn More