Quantitative Differences in Highway Noise Levels due to Pavement Type: Impact on Modelling Future Noise Emissions

Authors

  • Todd Busch <p>Pinchin Ltd.</p><p>2470 Milltower Court</p><p>Mississauga, Ontario L5N 7W5</p>

Abstract

An overview will be provided of three highway-noise models in use in Canada or the USA, the capacity of these models to accurately represent noise emissions from different pavements, and the constraints that are imposed in some jurisdictions that compromise the accuracy of modelling, particularly with forecasting of future noise levels after a project is built. Ideally, calculated noise levels will agree with measured levels of highway noise. The models to be reviewed include STAMSON 5.0, STAMINA 2.0, and the Traffic Noise Model (TNM). In some cases, the predictions are constrained through the mandated use of an ill-defined "average" pavement type that does not accurately represent either Portland Cement Concrete (PCC), Dense-Grade Asphalt Concrete (DGAC) or Open-Grade Asphalt Concrete (OGAC). As such, there are constraints on accuracy that occur when a modeller is obligated to assume that the pavement on a highway will be "average" as far as noise emissions are concerned. Detailed examples are provided that illustrate how specific geographic regions, such as American States, have documented the differences between pavements actually in use for a given State and a national average pavement type. The quantitative differences to be expected between PCC, DGAC, OGAC and "Average" pavements will be discussed.

Author Biography

Todd Busch, <p>Pinchin Ltd.</p><p>2470 Milltower Court</p><p>Mississauga, Ontario L5N 7W5</p>

MASc, PEng, PE, INCE Bd Cert. Studied noise control for Master's degree; worked professionally in acoustics for 23 years since 1994.

Additional Files

Published

2017-08-20

How to Cite

1.
Busch T. Quantitative Differences in Highway Noise Levels due to Pavement Type: Impact on Modelling Future Noise Emissions. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2017 Aug. 20 [cited 2025 Feb. 13];45(3):116-7. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/3157

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 3 (2017)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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