A Review of Research on Environmental Noise Barriers

Abstract

During the past four decades, extensive research has been carried out on different noise barrier shapes using analytical and physical modelling as well as full scale testing. This paper reviews traffic noise barrier research and its findings to date. It provides a catalogue of noise barrier profiles; identifying the relative acoustic benefits of each and the physical principles on which they operate. The likely effects of ground and atmospheric conditions on their absolute acoustic performance are described. The types of barriers which are commonly used in practice and those deserving further attention are highlighted. Based on the findings of previous work, recommendations are made on possible areas of further research.

Optimum control of broadband noise by arrays of cylindrical units made of a recycled material

“…(4) are calculated as 1/T x where T x is the direct T = T av or effective T ef f , T ef f , T ef f transmission coefficients obtained by applying T av and R av to Eqs. [1][2][3]. These parameters are calculated at several frequencies in each one-third octave band and then they are integrated in order to get a single R i per band.…”

“…Broadband noise is generated by industrial machinery and many other products that we use in our modern lifestyle. Particularly, traffic noise is perhaps a paradigmatic example of broadband noise where different approaches for its attenuation have been extensively researched; see, for example the reviews by Kurze [1] and by Ekici and Boudagh [2] and references therein.…”

Optimized height of noise barrier for non-urban highway using artificial neural network

“…Taking cost considerations into account it is not easily possible to increase the height of the barrier. Performance of any barrier depends heavily on the influence of the ground, the atmosphere, and reflective surfaces in built-up areas (Ekici and Bougdah 2003). Other factors include thickness, shape, mounting angle, and material used for the construction of the barrier.…”

“…There are many barrier profiles, which have designed to utilize various physical phenomena for achieving noise reduction. An interesting review related to environmental noise barrier was reported, which provides a catalog of noise barrier profiles, identifying the relative acoustic benefits of each and the physical principles on which they operate (Ekici and Bougdah 2003). A novel method to design a desired noise barrier using the global optimization of a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm was proposed (Mun and Cho 2009).…”

Acoustical Benefits of Plenum Window as Facade Device – A Parametric Study

“…Roadside barriers are the common structures used in urban areas to reduce human noise exposure due to the noisy road networks in the residential areas [6]. Many studies of roadside barrier including experimental and theoretical have been carried out over the past few decades.…”