Comparing Traffic Noise Levels between Signalized Intersections and Roundabouts in an Urban Environment

Abstract

This study aims to investigate and compare the traffic noise generated from signalized intersections and roundabouts. Hourly equivalent traffic noise level, traffic volume, and weather data were collected at four signalized intersections and four roundabouts of different sizes (two-lane and three-lane). Data were collected for a total period of 32 h during one weekday and one weekend at each intersection. A comparative traffic noise analysis that focused on peak hours was conducted between the different types of intersections. When comparing intersections of similar type and size, intersections with higher traffic volume produced higher traffic noise levels. However, when comparing intersections of different types and sizes, the two-lane roundabouts had lower traffic volume than the three-lane roundabouts but generated much higher traffic noise levels. When compared with two-lane signalized intersections, the two-lane roundabouts generated a much higher traffic noise with a slightly higher traffic volume. Similarly, the three-lane signalized intersections performed better than the three-lane roundabouts with marginally higher traffic noise levels and a much higher traffic volume. The results indicated that signalized intersections can be a better option than roundabouts from a traffic noise perspective when traffic volume is expected to be high.