Title: An analysis of traffic noise abatement scenarios
Abstract: Computer simulations of traffic sound levels were performed to evaluate the probable effectiveness of several hypothetical noise abatement scenarios in reducing residential exposure to traffic sound. These simulations were performed for 28 actual census tracts in six cities which were chosen to be representative of the urban United States. Results showed that neighborhood land use patterns have a strong influence on residential traffic noise exposure and thus constrain the potential effectiveness of any noise abatement strategy. Limits on the acceleration noise of new automobiles were calculated to have only a small effect on traffic noise exposure, while limits on truck acceleration noise were calculated to have a greater effect. A combination of noise barriers along freeways and nonresidential zoning along arterials was calculated to have approximately the same effect on residential noise exposure as severe constraints on both automobile and truck acceleration noise levels. Further calculations showed that if no constraints on new vehicle noise levels were imposed, and if the new vehicle fleet included more four cylinder and diesel automobiles, residential traffic noise exposure would be marginally greater than at present.