As an introduction to the session on construction noise at University Park, PA, the state of the art in construction equipment and site noise prediction, measurement and control will be reviewed. Typical construction equipment and site noise levels will be indicated. Standard procedures to measure equipment noise levels, particuarly SAE J88 and J88a, will be reviewed. Construction‐site noise levels predicted by adding worst‐case equipment noise levels, result in conservative site levels, since not all equipment operate simultaneously. Alternative techniques to predict either maximum likely, equivalent (Leq) or statistical (Ln) noise levels instead of maximum noise levels will be described. The existing state of the art in construction noise control will be illustrated in terms of noise control for portable air compressors and pile drivers.