Case-study analysis of traffic noise at Vesterbrogade, Aarhus, Denmark

Abstract

This paper analyses the livability, concerning traffic noise, in apartment buildings along one of the most heavily trafficked streets in Aarhus, Denmark. The case-study site is analyzed with noise prediction models and different improvements on the sound environment are proposed through qualitative aspects. The analyses are conducted using two different noise prediction models, opeNoise in QGIS and SoundPLAN. OpeNoise uses the noise prediction method CNOSSOS and SoundPLAN uses Nord2000. Noise maps 1,5 m above the terrain and facade noise levels are calculated. The results show noise levels on the facade far above WHO's limit, of . The noise pollution in the open space next to the roads also shows noise levels far above the recommendations, while the inner courtyard shows acceptable noise levels. Several subjective improvements of the sound environment are proposed, such as vegetation between the road and the building. Furthermore, different designs were proposed to reduce the amount of noise-polluted facades. This research work emphasizes the importance of considering qualitative parameters simultaneously with the noise prediction models.