The impact of intersection type on traffic noise levels in residential areas

Today road traffic noise represents one of the most serious environmental problems in urban areas. It is well known that the specific deceleration and acceleration dynamics of traffic at road intersections can cause different noise levels than free-flow traffic on open road segments. Also, each intersection type has variously distributed sections with different traffic flow conditions: constant speed, stop and go, deceleration and acceleration. The aim of research described in this paper is to establish whether the design of road intersection has influence on traffic noise emissions and to establish which intersection type is most suitable for application in urban areas, where residential buildings are often placed directly next to the noise source - in this case, the intersection. Models used for noise modeling in this research consist of two identical intersecting roads connected as follows, by mini roundabout and by intersection with or without traffic lights. Traffic noise calculations were conducted by means of specialized noise prediction software LimA using modified static noise calculation method RLS 90. Accuracy of roundabout noise model described in this paper had been verified in previous studies by comparison of measured noise levels and calculated noise levels on a number of urban roundabouts.