PERFORMANCE TESTING OF FREEWAY NOISE BARRIERS

The results of the field evaluation along freeways in Metropolitan Toronto show that these barriers are largely ineffective in reducing freeway traffic sound levels at nearby residences. Five different noise barrier types (an earth embankment, normal density and lightweight precast concrete panel walls, an aluminum wall, a plywood wall, and a gabion wall) are described, including materials, appearance, type of support and costs. The barriers, located midway between the houses and the pavement or at the highway shoulder, 60 ft-140 ft (18m-43m) from the nearest houses, provided only 2-6 dba reduction at the first row of houses, 4 ft (1.2m) above ground. Immediately behind the barriers, where the reductions are of little real benefit, reductions of 8 dba-14 dba were achieved. Calculated reductions due to the barriers were overestimated rather than underestimated.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/8674831
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Harmelink, M D
  • Hajek, J J
• Publication Date: 1973-2

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 123-138
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transportation Engineering
  • Volume: 99
  • Issue Number: TE1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-947X
  • Serial URL: https://ascelibrary.org/journal/jtepbs

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Costs; Field tests; Noise; Noise barriers; Noise control; Sound level; Traffic noise
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Environment; Finance; Highways; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00046382
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Civil Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 9572 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 18 2003 12:00AM