Line Source Noise Level Prediction for highway traffic

The procedure begins with the identification of noise level for different
kinds of traffic flows with a series of adjustments to this level to arrive a
predicted noise level.
The sound level is calculated using equation below:
Leq= REMEL + AVS + ΔB + AG + AD
Where,
REMEL= Reference Energy Mean Emission Level
AVS = Traffic volume and speed adjustment
ΔB = Barrier adjustment
AG= Adjustment for excess ground absorption
AD= Distance adjustment
Determination of Reference Energy Mean Emission Level
Traffic volume and speed adjustment:
Distance and ground absorption adjustments:
Adjustment for expressway sidewall as barrier:
Example Problem::
A roadway segement (two lanes, 15 ft each) from has a traffic
composition as follows:
Heavy truck: 50 vph each lane, speed=70 mph,
Medium truck= 347 vph each lane, speed=55 mph,
Auto= 484 vph each lane, speed=60 mph,

The surrounding round can be considered exerting moderate reflection.

The roadway has 3 ft high side railing.

Assume same amount of traffic flow (vph) in both lane.

Find out the noise level in dBA at ground level of a residential house 70
ft distance from the centerline of the roadway.
STEP – 1
Calculate REMEL
GIVEN,
Heavy truck:
50 vph each lane,
speed=70 mph,
Medium truck:
347 vph each lane,
speed=55 mph,
Auto:
484 vph each lane,
speed=60 mph,

AUTO MEDIUM TRUCK HEAVY TRUCK

?? ?? ??
STEP – 2
Calculate TRAFFIC FLOW ADJUSTMENT,
AVS
GIVEN,
Heavy truck:
50 vph each lane
speed=70 mph
Ni = 2*50
Medium truck:
347 vph each lane
speed=55 mph
Ni = 2*347 AUTO MEDIUM TRUCK HEAVY TRUCK
Auto: ?? ?? ??
484 vph each lane
speed=60 mph
Ni = 2*484
 STEP – 3
Calculate BARRIER ATTENUATION,
ΔB

15’ 15’
30’
 h2

R
70’

15’ 15’
30’
 Equivalent Lane Distance
DE =√(DN x DF)
h2
DE

7.5’ 7.5’ R
70’

15’ 15’
30’
 Equivalent Lane Distance
DE =√(DN x DF)
h2
DE

DF = 70’ + 7.5’
DN = 70’ - 7.5’

7.5’ 7.5’ R
70’

15’ 15’
30’
 Equivalent Lane Distance
DE =√(DN x DF) = 69.6’
h2

DF = 70’ + 7.5’
h1
DN = 70’ - 7.5’

7.5’ 7.5’ R
70’

15’ 15’ DE = 69.6’

30’

CASE I
 h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (???)’ d2 = ???

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 c =√(d 2 + h12)
h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ d =69.6’

30’
70’
 a =√(d1 2 + (h2-h1) 2)
h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 b =√(d2 2 + h2 2 )
h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 path length difference measured along the
perpendicular line to the barrier, δ0= a + b – c
h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
No = 2fδ/c
f = the frequency of the sound radiated by the source (550 Hz is typical “average” for
traffic)
c = the speed of sound (around 343 m/s)
 Equivalent Lane Distance
DE =√(DN x DF) = 69.6’
h2

DF = 70’ + 7.5’
DN = 70’ - 7.5’

7.5’ 7.5’ R
70’

15’ 15’ DE = 69.6’

30’

CASE II
 a =√(d1 2 + (h2-h1) 2) b =√(d2 2 + h2 2 )
h2
c =√(d2 2 + h12)
a b

S c R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ DN = c = 69.6’

30’
70’
AUTO MEDIUM TRUCK HEAVY TRUCK
?? ?? ??
STEP – 4
Calculate DISTANCE & GROUND ABSORPTION ADJUSTMENTS, AD + AG

AUTO MEDIUM TRUCK HEAVY TRUCK

?? ?? ??
 AUTO MEDIUM HEAVY Predicted Noise Level,
TRUCK TRUCK Total Leq
REMEL ?? ?? ?? Leq =
AVS ?? ?? ?? 10 log10 [ 10LA/10 + 10LMT/10 +
ΔB ?? ?? ?? 10LHT/10]
LHT= Adjusted noise level for High truck
AD + AG ?? ?? ??
LMT= Adjusted noise level for Medium truck
Leq Σ = LA Σ = LMT Σ = LHT LA= Adjusted noise level for Auto
 S
h1
attenuation, ΔB = 5 dbA

h2

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 S if >1.5m ΔB = 0 dbA
h1 if < 1.5m 0< ΔB < 5

h2

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’
 h2

a b

h1
S c

R
d1 = (69.6- d2)’ d2 = 70-15’

15’ 15’ 69.6’

30’
70’