A COMPUTER MODEL OF TRAFFIC NOISE TO SOLVE PLANNING PROBLEMS

A method of computing the cumulative time-level distribution of road traffic noise, which is more efficient than Monte-Carlo methods of similar sophistication, was developed. This paper reviews the basic philosophy of the model and indicates possible applications. The computer program calculates cumulative time-level distributions from the level-time functions of single vehicles travelling along a flat roadway with noise propagating over a flat plain. A separate level-time function is computed for each vehicle category and for each road lane taking into account vehicle speed and the nature of the land between the vehicle and the observer point. Each function is then combined in pairs and normalised in the desired proportions to form an equivalent single vehicle distribution. The noise distributions corresponding to progressively higher traffic flows are then obtained by successively combining the equivalent single vehicle distribution using a statistical combination process (2). The model was tested by comparing model predictions with measurements in simple one road and free flow situations. The standard errors of the differences between observed and predicted values of l10, l50 and l90 were 1.1 db(a), 1.3 db(a) and 1.9 db(a) respectively. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

  2, rue André Pascal
  Paris,   France  75775 Paris Cedex 16
• Authors:
  • NELSON, P M
• Publication Date: 1975

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 40-42
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Devel
  • Publisher: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Digital computers; Mathematical models; Monte Carlo method; Physical distribution; Sound; Sound level; Speed; Statistics; Studies; Time; Traffic; Traffic flow; Traffic lanes; Traffic noise; Traffic speed; Transportation planning
• Old TRIS Terms: Speed studies
• ITRD Terms: 8673: Digital computer; 9016: Distribution (gen); 6473: Mathematical model; 6748: Sound; 6747: Sound level; 5408: Speed; 6555: Statistics; 5414: Time; 755: Traffic
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Freight Transportation; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00133661
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 23 1976 12:00AM