Noise is one of the most pervasive forms of environmental pollution. It is everywhere and affects our lives at home, work and play. By definition, noise is any unwanted or excessive sound. Highway traffic noise is a major issue for transportation agencies. The objective of this study was to identify noise reduction products, materials, and technologies currently available and that may have potential as noise mitigation alternatives. The literature review and survey identified measures that are being used by U.S. transportation organizations as well as international efforts. Some key findings from the literature review show the following best practices: - Pavement Noise Reduction Products - noise or sound walls dominate this category and have been used for decades in the U.S. Findings from the literature revealed a variety of materials to choose from that are both aesthetically attractive, and effective in reducing sound from tire pavement noise. The cost of installing products will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis with the vendor or for each applicable product. - Pavement Noise Reduction Materials - The operating speed of the roadway should be factored into the roadway design for quiet pavements. European studies show that higher porous mixtures tend to clog under slower speeds. Two layer-porous mixes have been found to be effective in Europe and the US. An important attribute for consideration in two layer-porous mix design and placement is aggregate size. - Pavement Noise Reduction Technologies - use of thin-textured surfacings with a negative pavement depression are recommended for urban or low-speed roadway sections. Diamond grinding enhances noise reduction on concrete surfaces in sensitive locations. - Other Pavement Noise Reduction Measures - looking forward, transportation officials are encouraged to develop an integrated approach to roadway noise reduction. Instead of relying on a single measure, the recommended forward strategy is to develop the ability to model the effectiveness of a number of different measures to achieve greater noise reduction.

Exposure to noise at home, at work, while traveling, and during leisure activities is a fact of life for all Americans. At times noise can be loud enough to damage hearing, and at lower levels it can disrupt normal living, affect sleep patterns, affect our ability to concentrate at work, interfere with outdoor recreational activities, and, in some cases, interfere with communications and even cause accidents. Clearly, exposure to excessive noise can affect our quality of life. As the population of the United States and, indeed, the world increases and developing countries become more industrialized, problems of noise are likely to become more pervasive and lower the quality of life for everyone. Efforts to manage noise exposures, to design quieter buildings, products, equipment, and transportation vehicles, and to provide a regulatory environment that facilitates adequate, cost-effective, sustainable noise controls require our immediate attention. Technology for a Quieter America looks at the most commonly identified sources of noise, how they are characterized, and efforts that have been made to reduce noise emissions and experiences. The book also reviews the standards and regulations that govern noise levels and the federal, state, and local agencies that regulate noise for the benefit, safety, and wellness of society at large. In addition, it presents the cost-benefit trade-offs between efforts to mitigate noise and the improvements they achieve, information sources available to the public on the dimensions of noise problems and their mitigation, and the need to educate professionals who can deal with these issues. Noise emissions are an issue in industry, in communities, in buildings, and during leisure activities. As such, Technology for a Quieter America will appeal to a wide range of stakeholders: the engineering community; the public; government at the federal, state, and local levels; private industry; labor unions; and nonprofit organizations. Implementation of the recommendations in Technology for a Quieter America will result in reduction of the noise levels to which Americans are exposed and will improve the ability of American industry to compete in world markets paying increasing attention to the noise emissions of products.

This synthesis will be of interest to highway environmental engineers, noise analysts, design engineers, maintenance personnel, planners, administrators, and others responsible for the design, selection, and maintenance of noise barriers or other traffic noise abatement policies. Information is provided on current state practice associated with noise abatement techniques and on the various products that are used. This synthesis describes the state of the art with respect to traffic noise abatement procedures, especially noise barriers. This report of the Transportation Research Board provides information on the design, construction and maintenance of both new (Type I) and retrofit ( Type II) noise barriers. The design elements that are addressed include materials, the selection process, service life, foundations, drainage, aesthetics, and safety. The construction section covers technical problems related to surface effects, durability, snow damage, and costs. Other noise abatement measures such as insulation and highway design alternatives are also addressed. The issue of public demand and availability funding is included, and recommendations are made to improve the situation.

In the books opening chapter, Nefta Eleftheria Votsi, Ph.D., Athanasios Kallimanis, Ph.D., and Ioannis Pantis, Ph.D. methodically review present collected works to clarify Quiet Areas categories to identify research gaps and establish guidelines for the addition of Quiet Areas initiatives in cohesive environmental management approaches. Next, Angel M Dzhambov, MD and Donka D Dimitrova, Ph.D. examine the risk of hypertension connected to road traffic noise exposure in different ethnic groups in Bulgaria. Supplementing this, Hussein M Elmehdi, Ph.D. discusses noise exposure and related health risks with the goal to connect the results of measured noise exposures to sleep disturbance and annoyance. Angel M Dzhambov, MD proves a review of literature on traffic noise reduction by vegetation. Then, Janusz Bohatkiewicz, Ph.D. and Maciej Hałucha present a study on quit pavements. Ending the book, David Isaac Ibarra Zarate gives an overview of the issue of road traffic noise while also presenting possible solutions.

Presents Evidence-Based Guidance on Noise Abatement Methods Solutions for reducing the noise impact of road and rail traffic can be found in the use of natural elements in combination with artificial elements in urban and rural environments. Ground and road surface treatments; trees, forests, and tall vegetation; and the greening of buildings and other surfaces can contribute to powerful and cost-effective noise reduction. Environmental Methods for Transport Noise Reduction presents the main findings of the Holistic and Sustainable Abatement of Noise by optimized combinations of Natural and Artificial means (HOSANNA) research project. This project involved experts from seven countries, and assessed noise reduction in terms of sound level reductions, perceptual effects, and cost–benefit analysis. It considered a number of green abatement strategies, and aimed to develop a toolbox for reducing road and rail traffic noise in outdoor environments. Combines Theory with Practice Broad in both theory and application and based on leading-edge research, the book brings together the findings and their practical use. It details assessment methods for perceived noise, and outlines noise prediction methods that can be integrated with noise mapping software. It also explores the economic benefits and positive effects on urban air quality and CO2 levels. The material is this book: Includes up-to-date results on noise mitigation using vegetation and ground treatments Contains relevant results on innovative noise barrier designs Presents data on acoustic performance of vegetation and soil substratum Provides perceptual and cost–benefit analyses of noise mitigation methods Environmental Methods for Transport Noise Reduction is a helpful guide for noise consultants, city planners, architects, landscape architects, and researchers.