Analysis of highway reflection noise reduction using transparent noise barrier types

Abstract

Transparent type noise barrier is a desirable facility since it provides a secure view to drivers and passengers. However, reflection from this type of barrier could annoy dwellers on the sides of the road. To reduce reflection noise by transparent type barrier, modification can be made to the shapes on the front side and hence get effects by distortion of sound transmission. To achieve this, we have conducted simulation by which the effects of patterned screens of noise barrier on high-ways were investigated. The reduction effects of reflected sounds were evaluated for swelling, swelling with curved, rectangular and V-shaped screen type barriers, compared to the planar panel. The emitting noise was generated by 6-lane road and the patterned noise barriers had shown the reduction effects, especially in swelling and swelling with curved type for middle height dwellers, and the V-shaped screen type for higher elevation dweller. The swelling-type showed a decrease of 0.7~1.2 dB, performing the best diminution effect among the tested noise barriers.

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“…Walls are often used as traffic barriers for increased safety and noise reduction, especially to separate motor vehicles from pedestrians in adjacent parks and recreational and residential areas [ 26 – 28 ]. Short walls/barriers (often two feet high), tall wall barriers, and, more recently, transparent wall barriers are often used to separate traffic from parks and recreational and residential areas to increase safety and reduce noise [ 29 ]. The type and characteristic of the physical barriers separating traffic from pedestrians affect perceived safety and may affect users' mobility (e.g., gait and balance) [ 30 , 31 ].…”