Road Traffic Noise Levels Estimations by means of Fully Dynamic and Microscopic Approach Compared to CNOSSOS-EU Model

Abstract

In the last decades, research has been dedicated to refining models for assessing traffic noise levels, supporting national authorities in addressing associated problems. Progress has shifted from basic statistical models to dynamic ones, typically composed of a Noise Emission Model (NEM) for estimating source sound power levels and a sound propagation model for assessing equivalent noise levels at specific receiver points. These models commonly integrate the average speed of traffic flow as an input variable, placing them in the macroscopic or mesoscopic realm. The CNOSSOS-EU model (reference in Europe) exemplifies this macroscopic approach. However, due to the modular structure of road traffic noise models, a NEM can be coupled with different sound propagation models, facilitating the transition from macroscopic to microscopic assessments. This paper demonstrates the coupling of a NEM with two distinct simplified sound propagation models: CNOSSOS-EU and the sum of Sound Exposure Levels (SEL) models. The latter approach showcases the potential of using individual on-road vehicle speeds as inputs, enabling microscopic noise assessments. Vehicle speed data is extracted from video records, while the goodness of the proposed approaches is tested by comparing the models' estimations with ground truth values recorded on a National Road in Portugal.