Characterization of uncertainty in outdoor sound propagation predictions

Propagation calculations through the full LES fields are compared to calculations through subsets of the LES fields that have been processed in typical ways, such as mean vertical profiles and instantaneous vertical profiles synchronized to the sound propagation. It is found that mean sound pressure levels can be predicted with low errors from the mean profiles, except in refractive shadow regions.

Prediction of sound pressure levels for short-duration events is much less accurate, with errors of 8-10 dB for near-ground propagation being typical.