Road traffic noise is an element of outstanding importance within the overall context of environmental impact. This problem must be technically addressed from an efficient viewpoint, and solutions or alternatives should be considered by means of appropriate and consolidated procedures. Up to now, there is no regulated guideline for establishing well-founded priorities when dealing with the diverse road stretches included in the corresponding Action Plans against noise under the Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC). To this end, the present study proposes a methodology to sort, by priority, road stretches identified by their noise problems and therefore requiring appropriate action. The methodology is based on the so-called “road stretch priority index” (henceforth referred to as RSPI). This index involves a number of variables (called “road stretch priority variables”) that are weighted according to their influence on the road traffic noise problem. Thus, the RSPI makes it possible to prioritize different stretches of the Action Plan. To illustrate the application of the proposed methodology, this paper also describes a real case entailing a difficult choice, applying the proposed methodology to a review of the Action Plan against Noise 2008–2012 in the province of Almeria, for the road network of the regional government of Andalusia, Spain.

A methodology for classification by priority for action: Selecting road stretches for network noise action plans

Road traffic noise influencing directly public health in the modern cities is a growing problem in both developing and developed countries. The objective of this study was to model traffic-induced noise in Antalya province, validate the model with noise emission data, and to run the model for the noise preventive scenarios. In this study, modeling of traffic-induced noise was performed using SoundPLAN® software at Gazi Boulevard in the city of Antalya. Calculations were made according to NMPB-Routes 96, which have been accepted by environmental noise legislation of the European Union and Turkey. Fundamental data sets such as geographical, topographical and meteorological data, building information and population, traffic network, traffic volume and vehicle speed, and composition of types of vehicle were utilized for the development of noise prediction model. Eight preventive scenarios to reduce traffic-induced noise levels were simulated using the validated model considering traffic flow measures such as types of vehicles, vehicle speeds, types of road surface, redirecting portion of heavy vehicles to alternative routes and noise barrier usage. Results showed that increase in heavy vehicle speeds in smooth road surface conditions caused more increase in exposures than that of light vehicle speed. It was highlighted that it would be appropriate to use porous road surface to reduce exposures on population on high-speed roads. Furthermore, the number of people that are exposed to noise is significantly reduced by precautions such as alternative routes for heavy vehicles and speed restriction. These precautions reduced noise exposures by 25.5–63.8%. The results showed that the usage of noise barrier at the alternative routes in case of porous asphalt road reduced population, dwellings, and area exposed to traffic noise which is greater than 75 dB(A) as 63.8, 40.5, and 60.0%, respectively. It could be concluded that the outcomes of the noise prediction models based on the generated scenarios could be used for the purpose of decision support system and could be helpful for decision-makers on the noise legislations.

/pdf/modeling-of-road-traffic-noise-and-traffic-flow-measures-to-gsxfu7vfqn.pdf

Modeling of road traffic noise and traffic flow measures to reduce noise exposure in Antalya metropolitan municipality

..................................................................................................................... i Tables of

Construction material logistics management: the case of north-central Nigeria

The objective of the DISTANCE project is to provide National Road Administrations with valuable and informative guidelines to improve the optimisation of traffic noise abatement in the future on main road networks. The guidelines will help to improve the quality of their noise maps. The project will outline which noise asset information should ideally be gathered (over and above what is already collated) and with what precision. These data can then serve as input for the CNOSSOS-EU calculation scheme that is expected to be used for future mapping under the Environmental Noise Directive. Accurate noise maps will also allow more reliable identification of areas where noise abatement is required.

Kjell Strommer

Papers

Value for money in road traffic noise abatement