Adjusted Controlled Pass-By (CPB) Method for Urban Road Traffic Noise Assessment

Abstract

Noise associated with road infrastructure is a prominent problem in environmental acoustics, and its implications with respect to human health are well documented. Objective and repeatable methodologies are necessary for testing the efficacy of sustainable noise mitigation methods such as low noise emission pavement. The Controlled Pass-By (CPB) method is used to measure the sound generated by passing vehicles. Despite its popularity, the applicability of CPB is compromised in urban contexts, as its results depend on test site conditions, and slight changes in the experimental setup can compromise repeatability. Moreover, physical conditions, reduced space, and urban elements risk confine its use to only experimental road sites. In addition, vehicle speed represents a relevant factor that further contributes to the method’s inherent instability. The present paper aims to extend the applicable range of this method and to provide more reliable results by proposing an adjusted CPB method. Furthermore, CPB metrics such as LAmax do not consider the travelling speed of the vehicle under investigation. Our proposed method can yield an alternative metric that takes into account the duration of the noise event. A hypothetical urban case is investigated, and a signal processing pipeline is developed to properly characterize the resulting data. Speed cushions, manhole covers, and other spurious effects not related to the pass-by sound emissions of ordinary vehicles are pinpointed as well.

How policy choices on industrial noise in acoustic zoning relates with economy and urban development

“…These values are averaged over economic homogenous areas as identified by the website, which mainly corresponds to the urban areas of Bolzano. In particular, 11 central/semi-central zones (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), 5 peripheral zones (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)) and 3 rural zones (17)(18)(19) are described and here referred as "economic districts". These districts have been assigned in QGIS (the website provides purchasable datasets, but it is behind the scope of this paper) to acoustic zoning proposal in order to connect the information.…”

“…Many studies have been dedicated to the emission, transmission and effects on human health of the main noise sources, which are mainly transport infrastructures: roads [1][2][3][4], railway traffic [5][6][7], airports [8,9], port activities [10,11]. Although it is considered one of the fundamental sources of noise by European legislation, industrial noise is difficult to treat in a homogeneous way and therefore it has been investigated almost exclusively as case studies.…”

Performance Evaluation on the Application of MAST and RCC on a Cambodian Rural Road: A Case Study

“…The maximum sound level in one vehicle pass is the representative result of each test. Under the assumption of a constant speed with the passing vehicle, a log-linear trend shall be observed in the maximum sound level with respect to the vehicle speed [40].…”

Vehicular Traffic Flow Analysis and Minimize the Vehicle Queue Waiting Time Using Signal Distribution Control Algorithm

“…The adjusted Controlled Pass-By(CPB) technique is used for assessing the noise and determining the overall acoustic performance produced by road infrastructure [ 15 ]. A number of technical changes are outlined, including the delineation of markings directly on the road surface to serve as a driver’s guide, support the repeatability of the trajectory during each passage, and help drivers avoid unwelcome road features like speed bumps and manhole covers.…”