ATTENUATION OF TRAFFIC NOISE IN URBAN AREAS

Urban traffic studies at the Ohio State University indicate that automobile traffic generates a noise level which could be tolerated or attenuated to an acceptable level for the urban environment. The noise generated by heavy vehicles (point sources), however, was judged to be very annoying because of its extended propagation range and its explosive character. This paper attempts to explain why the noise generated by trucks dominates urban noise pollution. Noise barriers constructed of thin sheets of material were found to be quite ineffective to correct the problem of urban noise pollution. Other possibilities were explored and it was found that concerted efforts between city planning and traffic operation are the most promising approach to solve the urban noise pollution problem. (TRRL)