GSB 7.0 Standardlösung

Mitigation of Traffic-related Noise Emissions and Their Impacts (Main topic 205)

Increasing traffic volumes and the growing density of the transport infrastructure networks cause traffic-related sound emissions to rise. Among the potential human consequences of the resulting noise exposure are concentration disorders and other diseases. The relevance of the noise problem is also reflected by the rising number in research projects dealing with the effects of noise, such as the 2015 NORAH (Noise-Related Annoyance, Cognition, and Health) study and the extensive WHO studies dated 2011 and 2018, to name a few representative examples. The latter – based on the latest findings from noise effects research – recommends to define noise source specific maximum exposure levels for environmental noise.


Today, each of the different modes of transport – railway, road, air transport and navigation – considers noise situations separately, which is sufficient in most cases. Yet, there are spots with a high transport infrastructure concentration or transport hubs, where two or more transport modes contribute to overall noise exposure. For the time being, though, no rules or procedures exist to come to concerted, effective and efficient solutions to abate noise pollution in those areas.


The professional evaluation of a noise situation and the identification of targeted remediation measures rely on a multitude of factors and can become an infinitely complex task. In case of a cumulation of different transport modes in one area, it is of utmost importance to determine an overall noise level and to assess the effectiveness of any measures implemented. For decision-makers it is vital in this context to have up-to-date noise emission data for each transport mode at hand and to give appropriate consideration to the varying frequency spectra and time structure of the noise exposure. Topographic and meteorological influences on sound propagation can lead to unexpected noise levels and changes in the frequency composition of the sound spectrum.


In the BMDV Network of Experts’ prior research phase (2016–2019) the scientists developed methods for the overall noise assessment (manual) and for the consideration of meteorological effects on the propagation of sound (guidance for meteorological adjustments). In the Network’s current research phase, these methods are tested and applied in practice.


In spite of the existing broad set of measures for noise mitigation, the toolkit often reaches its limits. This is why the ongoing research phase deals with the identification and evaluation of innovative ways for noise abatement, including, among others, special geometric solutions, absorbing extensions or noise barrier tops that take advantage of physical scattering effects.


The researchers also identify psycho-acoustic and user- or behaviour-related potentials to reduce noise emissions and mitigate noise nuisance. Furthermore, the underlying database for noise emissions from the shipping sector is expanded and updated. In this context, the experts also examine the perceptibility of low-frequency sounds and their effects.


Coordination:

Michael Chudalla
Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt)
Chudalla@bast.de


Participating institutions:

  • BASt
  • BfG
  • DZSF/EBA