CadnaA / SoundPLAN
The industry-standard 3D noise modelling platforms used by acoustic consultants to predict and map environmental noise from roads, railways, industrial sources, and wind farms for planning and regulatory compliance.
What it is
About CadnaA / SoundPLAN
CadnaA (by DataKustik, Germany) and SoundPLAN (by Braunstein + Berndt, Germany) are the two dominant software platforms for environmental noise prediction and strategic noise mapping. Both tools construct a 3D terrain and building model of a study area, define noise source parameters (traffic flow and speed profiles, industrial emission levels, railway pass-by characteristics), and apply propagation algorithms — ISO 9613-2 for industrial noise, CRTN/CRTN replacement methods for road traffic, CRN for railways — to predict sound pressure levels at receiver points and across contoured noise maps. The outputs underpin Environmental Impact Assessment noise chapters, strategic noise maps produced under the Environmental Noise Directive, planning noise impact assessments submitted to local authorities, and industrial permit applications to the Environment Agency. CadnaA is particularly strong in strategic noise mapping and is used by many local authorities for their statutory END noise maps; SoundPLAN has a stronger presence in complex industrial and infrastructure modelling. Both platforms share the same fundamental workflow: import the OS or topographic terrain data, build the obstacle and source geometry, assign source emission levels from measured data or traffic forecasting outputs, run the calculation, validate against measured survey data, then produce the deliverable — whether a noise contour map for an EIA report, a façade noise level table for a noise mitigation scheme, or a distance-to-contour calculation for a planning condition. The choice between the two tools is largely practice- and project-specific: many UK acoustic consultancies use CadnaA as their primary environmental tool, while SoundPLAN dominates in some European markets and is preferred for certain industrial and wind farm applications. Both are Windows-only desktop applications with institutional licence pricing.
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Build a 3D road traffic noise model in CadnaA for a new housing development — importing OS terrain data and building outlines, defining the road source geometry and traffic flow data (AADT, HGV percentage, day/evening/night split), and calculating façade noise levels at each proposed dwelling to assess compliance with BS 8233 internal noise criteria
Generate a noise contour map in CadnaA for an Environmental Impact Assessment — running a full area calculation at 4m receiver height, applying the ISO 9613-2 industrial propagation method, producing day, evening, and night Lden contours at 5 dB intervals, and overlaying the contours on an Ordnance Survey basemap for the EIA noise chapter
Model industrial plant noise in SoundPLAN — entering measured sound power levels for each item of fixed plant, applying point source and line source models, running the BS 4142 background survey data as the reference ambient level, and calculating the rating level at the nearest noise-sensitive receptor to assess significance
Validate a noise model against field measurements — comparing the predicted free-field levels at 3–5 measurement positions against the actual monitored survey levels, adjusting source input data or terrain absorption factors where the discrepancy exceeds ±3 dB, and documenting the validation methodology in the technical appendix of an EIA report
Run a noise barrier optimisation analysis in CadnaA — modelling the proposed barrier at heights from 1.5m to 4m in 0.5m increments, comparing the façade level reduction at the nearest dwelling for each barrier height, and selecting the minimum barrier height that achieves the target noise reduction to minimise visual impact and construction cost
How to learn it
Learning Resources
DataKustik CadnaA training courses (datakustik.com/training) — official instructor-led courses covering the fundamental workflow, source modelling, propagation methods, and strategic noise mapping; available in-person and online; UK courses run by authorised resellers including AECOM and Sharps Redmore
SoundPLAN training (soundplan.com/training) — official training covering project setup, source types, calculation methods, and report generation; module-specific training available for road, rail, industrial, and wind farm applications
Institute of Acoustics (IOA) courses — the IOA Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control includes a noise prediction and modelling module that covers CadnaA/SoundPLAN methodology; certificate and short courses also available at acoustics.org.uk/training
Noise modelling guidance documents — DMRB (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges) LA 111 for highway noise; BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 for industrial noise; ISO 9613-2 for industrial propagation; Department for Transport noise circulars — all freely available and essential context for using the software correctly
Pro Tip
Always run your model validation before you run the assessment. Take at least three measurement positions at known distances from known sources, model them in CadnaA/SoundPLAN with your proposed source parameters, and compare. A 2–3 dB systematic offset in your model at validation positions will become a 2–3 dB error in all your predictions. Discovering this after submitting to the planning authority means remodelling and resubmitting under time pressure.
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool
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