Long-term experimental database for environmental acoustics

The Long-Term Monitoring Station (LTMS) was set up by Ifsttar (formerly LCPC) for a long observation period (10 years) in the aim of promoting a better understanding of the physical phenomena inherent in the field of environmental acoustics. This paper focuses on the LTMS experimental database, generated over the 2002–2007 periods, and in particular on sound pressure levels (relative to a reference microphone, i.e. attenuations) as well as micrometeorological observables (wind speed and direction, air temperature, etc.) at several points and heights on the experimental site. Most importantly, this paper introduces LTMS_2002–2007 as a reference database with free access (available for downloading on the web page) for the entire scientific community involved in: (i) numerical model validation (both acoustic and micrometeorological models), and (ii) statistical analyses (spatial and temporal representativeness). This paper also provides several examples of experimental data exploration, so as to derive an estimation of the space and time variability of meteorological and acoustic parameters at this complex topography site (valley and viaduct) over short, medium and long-term periods.