Measurement and prediction of traffic noise in residential areas

In urban areas, traffic noise is generated from three basic sources, the engine block, the exhaust system and the contact between the tire and the road. The goal of an engineer to either increase roadway capacity or improve traffic flow may often conflict with a neighbourhood's goal to be free of congestion, pollution, and traffic noise. Controversies involving traffic noise are often based on misinformation, or perception, not on facts, good engineering, or reality. Resident's perceptions of road-based noise on urban road segments in the central area of Xanthi, Northern Greece, have been examined. An effort has been made to link disturbance from road-based noise and house type, proximity to noise source, resident activity patterns, speed limit variations, traffic composition and type of road surfaces. Traffic counts covered weekend and working days. Different types of vehicles were grouped in a way that would give the influence of heavy vehicles to the generated noise levels. A social inquiry was also conducted. Questionnaires were completed covering subjects such as the type of the house, the number of persons living in the house, the ages and profession, the annoyance of the inhabitants from various noise sources, etc. The traffic and noise measurements were related to the replies of the citizens. A variety of possible noise mitigation measures can reduce the noise impacts of the existing roadway network.