3D analysis and investigation of traffic noise impact from a new motorway on building and surrounding area

This study analyzes and investigates the impact of traffic noise on the high-rise building and surrounding area by the side of a new motorway that links Bangkok to the new Suwannaphum International Airport and Pattaya. A traffic noise simulation model in 3D form is applied on a GIS system. Visualized noise levels are formulated in vectored contours for noise mapping on all surfaces of the building and surrounding ground in a 3D platform. Noise impact is then investigated based on this 3D noise mapping in LAeq,1 h noise contours. The investigation shows that there is a high traffic noise impact on the foreground and front façade of the building, rendering this area unsuitable for residential purposes. The ground area by the sides of the building and the building side panels receive a lower noise impact. Most of these areas are still not acceptable for residential use; however, all of the side panels and most of the ground area by the sides of the building can be used for commercial and business purposes. The back yard and back panel, together with the rooftop, have the lowest traffic noise impact. They are the safest places for use as residential areas, except for a small strip along the front edge of the rooftop. From this study, residential areas that are sensitive to noise impact must be located far away from the front façade and side panels of a building. It is also shows that the building height is not an effective means of reducing motorway noise on the upper part of the building.