A method of assessing measures to reduce road traffic noise: A case study in Santiago, Chile

Road traffic noise is one of the major environmental issues affecting city dwellers’ human health and well being in an urban environment. This study develops a method to assess measures to reduce traffic noise by modeling and quantifying its impact on the population near the main roads inside the urban perimeter. An iterative scenario projection process based on the interaction of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and a computational noise prediction module was proposed. Applying it to an actual case study in Santiago, Chile proved the applicability of the method. Several noise control measures were assessed including new road surfaces and traffic volume and speed reductions. The noise prediction model was able to simulate the effect of different action plans by combining single measures. Resulting noise levels at most exposed façades of 20 road corridors were assessed using two criteria: sleep disturbance at hospitals/clinics and noise limits by Chilean Technical Standard NCh 352. The method presented may be an effective tool to support authorities in their decision-making process concerning action plans to reduce road traffic noise.