Skatepark Noise

Skate park facilities are normally frequented by youngsters between the ages of about 8 and 18 years, using a combination of in line skates, skateboards, bicycles and scooters. The maximum noise output from skateboard parks is primarily associated with the thumps and bangs as skaters land on the horizontal platform sections. In comparison the curved sections are relatively quiet, probably because of the presence of rubber tyres on the bicycles, skates and scooters and the fact that these sections are usually traversed with the vehicles in continual contact with the unit surface.

The noise produced by a skate park will depend on the size of the park, the number and type of units installed on the site and the number of children taking part. With the platforms being the dominant noise sources, any given measurement position records thumps and bangs from both the nearest units and more distant units. From a noise measurement point of view the process is very irregular with activity ranging from almost continuous use to relatively long participant rest periods. The worst case noise situation will obviously arise when a given skate park is in active use with a large number of skaters performing on all units.

Prediction models have been developed employing (a) semi empirical approaches of noise versus distance using the total noise levels of the skate park, and (b) measurements on individual units at close-in distances, combined into a total skate park noise level by summing the contributions from the various units. In the latter case the data was derived from specific trials, where chosen skaters were specifically asked to concentrate on one unit and all other units were shut down. Both models need to take into account the number of users, assuming that this information is known.