Towards Traffic Situation Noise Emission Models

Abstract

This article proposes a methodology to account for vehicle kinematics in a fast and efficient way when using single vehicle noise emission models such as the Harmonoise/Imagine, Nord2000 or NMPB. A model is built, which mimics the traffic situation emission models developed in the field of airborne pollutants research. The model aggregates the sound power emitted over driving cycles which are statistically representative of real-world driving conditions. Four different driving conditions are included in the cycles, ranging from free-flowing to stop-and-go traffic conditions. The sound power levels estimated with this new approach are significantly different from the ones estimated with the mean speed approach recommended by the noise mapping guidelines, especially when traffic is congested, suggesting that the method could prove relevant for improving noise map accuracy, in particular in urban context.