Applicability of models to estimate traffic noise for urban roads

Abstract

BackgroundTraffic noise is a highly relevant environmental impact in cities. Models to estimate traffic noise, in turn, can be useful tools to guide mitigation measures. In this paper, the applicability of models to estimate noise levels produced by a continuous flow of vehicles on urban roads is investigated. The aim is to identify which models are more appropriate to estimate traffic noise in urban areas since several models available were conceived to estimate noise from highway traffic.ResultsFirst, measurements of traffic noise, vehicle count and speed were carried out in five arterial urban roads of a brazilian city. Together with geometric measurements of width of lanes and distance from noise meter to lanes, these data were input in several models to estimate traffic noise. The predicted noise levels were then compared to the respective measured counterparts for each road investigated. In addition, a chart showing mean differences in noise between estimations and measurements is presented, to evaluate the overall performance of the models. Measured Leq values varied from 69 to 79 dB(A) for traffic flows varying from 1618 to 5220 vehicles/h. Mean noise level differences between estimations and measurements for all urban roads investigated ranged from −3.5 to 5.5 dB(A).ConclusionsAccording to the results, deficiencies of some models are discussed while other models are identified as applicable to noise estimations on urban roads in a condition of continuous flow. Key issues to apply such models to urban roads are highlighted.

Comparison of Single Vehicle Noise Emission Models in Simulations and in a Real Case Study by means of Quantitative Indicators

“…Therefore, it is necessary to have information about the speed and acceleration, that are usually known with a poor resolution [10]. Indeed, for example, the mean speeds are not known for every road segment and speed distributions are rarely available, especially near intersections [26], [27]. To overcome this lack of information for the present study, the five models will be applied to three simulations and two real cases in different speed conditions.…”

A eficiência de algoritmos matemáticos para avaliação do ruído urbano

“…Observa-se que no primeiro modelo os erros ficaram entre 3 dB(A) e 8 dB(A) e, no segundo modelo, entre 5 dB(A) e 8 dB(A). Melo et al (2015) também testaram esse modelo com diferenças entre -5 dB(A) a 2 dB(A). O modelo da HMSO (1988) não distingue categoria de veículos, apenas veículos leves e pesados.…”

“…As diferenças de resultados gerados por Tansatcha et al (2005) foram significativas, praticamente todas acima de 8 dB(A). Melo et al (2015) obtiveram diferenças similares na aplicação desse modelo com diferenças de 5 dB(A) a 7 dB(A). Os modelos propostos por Pamanikabud et al (2008) e Zhao et al (2015 apresentaram resultados similares, fato já esperado, já que Zhao et al (2015) utiliza o valor de L 20s proposto por Pamanikabud et al (2008).…”

The Issues of Measuring the Exterior and Interior Noise of Road Vehicles

“…Below mentioned basic terms define and directly specify the noise as an objectionable environmental sound causing even annoying feeling that has generally an unfavorable effect [2 -4]: (1) Noise -every unwanted, intrusive, annoying or harmful sound that causes the biological reaction of humans and animals; (2) The Noise Level (LA) in dB -the level of acoustic pressure weighted using the weighting filter A; (3) The Percentage Noise Level -the sound level with A weighting obtained during the weighing time function F (fast), exceeded in percentage of the total evaluation period. Denotation -LN (e.g.…”