The issue of road traffic noise and a probable solution Book in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. The aim of this Chapter is to appoint the context of the environmental noise, and more specifically, in the area of the road traffic noise. It is well known that traffic sources (vehicles, trains, airplanes) contribute roughly with 3/4 parts of the ambient noise. In addition, road traffic noise amounts around half of the overall noise in the environment. Therefore, for an efficient control of the noise suffered by inhabitants, especially in the urban environment, it is crucial to face the problem of the road traffic noise. The different administrations have already established directives, laws and ordinances to mitigate the impact of ambient noise. However, environmental noise surveys seem to indicate that the noise problematical is far to be solved. Therefore, new and audacious proposals that contribute to alleviate the noise annoyance should be of both scientific and sociologic interest. In this context, it is taking into account that noise annoyance is highly correlated with the maximum noise levels radiated by the noisiest vehicles, a new solution, based on the measurement of the noise radiated by each vehicle to the near field; it is proposed in this chapter to detect these cars. Such a system should facilitate an historical record of the noise radiated by each vehicle. In one hand, it should provide a tool for a fairer administrative control of traffic noise, helping to detect the noisier vehicles in periodical vehicle technical inspections. In the other hand, it would facilitate a more precise approach to traffic noise studies, in more realistic conditions, including effects such as the vehicle segment, engine type, vehicle age, and road maintaining. Also, If the plan is to make a precision noise mapping.

publication date

  • January 1, 2017