Applying the RLS 90 to Develop an Inland Waterway Traffic Noise Prediction Model in China That Considers Water Surface Influence

Abstract

Based on the traffic situation, vessel type and atmospheric condition, an inland waterway traffic noise prediction model was developed for environmental assessment in China. This model was developed from the Germany Richtlinien für den Lärmschutz an Straßen (RLS 90) model by adding the water surface condition, absorption and gradient along vessel travel direction correction terms to the governing equations. The re-described parameters, including traffic flow and composition, vessel speed, air absorption, and water surface, ground and atmospheric conditions, etc., were chosen as inputs into the calculating equations. The verification results showed that the absolute error between the predicted and measured noise levels within the range of ± 1.4 dBA was 82.9%. The mean difference between the predicted and measured noise levels was 0.02 ± 1.25 dBA. The comparison results with the RLS 90 model and the modified Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) model also showed that the developed model in this study had better precision and accuracy.

An inland waterway traffic noise prediction model for environmental assessment in China

“…Therefore, dividing channel into k segments, and considering the effect of water surface attenuation, the model for each segment to predict the inland waterway traffic noise based on the Schall 03 can be mathematically described as (Richtlinie zur berechnung der schallimmissionen von schienenwegen 1990; Kurze and Weißenberger 2003;Möhler et al 2006;Prascevic et al 2013;Dai et al 2014Dai et al , 2015 …”

“…The distance attenuation parameter b due to water surface absorption can be mathematically expressed as (Dai et al 2014(Dai et al , 2015 b…”

“…For normal class inland waterways, they are regard as infinite in most cases; therefore, the adjustment 10 lg w a ðu 1 ;u 2 Þ p h i for finite length of inland waterway segment can be neglected (Dai et al 2015). The calculation procedures designed for predicting inland waterway traffic noise based on the Schall 03 model are shown in Fig.…”

“…However, unlike those produced by trains and cars, the inland waterway vessel emission noise has not been paid enough attention (Dai et al 2015). With the increasing number of transport vessels, inland waterway noise pollution will be further intensified in future.…”

“…However, in addition to the modified Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Richtlinien für den Lärmschutz an Straßen (RLS 90) models by Dai et al (2014Dai et al ( , 2015, there is still lack of suitable methods for predicting the inland waterway traffic noise. The railway traffic noise prediction models are usually utilized to assess inland waterway traffic noise exposure level.…”