Modeling the Influence of Roundabout Deflection on Its Efficiency as a Noise Abatement Measure

Saša Ahac, Maja Ahac, Josipa Domitrović and Vesna Dragčević
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Saša Ahac: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Ahac: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Josipa Domitrović: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Dragčević: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: Challenges that emerge in roundabout design are mostly related to space constrictions and provision of appropriate deflection around the central island. This can result in speed profiles on roundabouts that might reduce their potential as a noise abatement measure. Because of this, the impact of a roundabout on noise levels and its applicability as a traffic calming device and a noise abatement measure should be investigated in the early design stage, by modeling noise levels. In this paper, the following hypothesis is tested: vehicle movement trajectories, defined during the fastest path performance check in roundabout early design phase, can be used as the road traffic noise sources when modeling noise at roundabouts using static noise model. This procedure (1) simplifies the preparation of the noise model, (2) results in a model that is closer to the real-world in terms of traffic flow conditions, (3) allows the noise calculations in the early stages of roundabout design, and (4) includes the influence of roundabout deflection on calculated noise levels. The abovementioned simplifications of the road traffic noise modeling process should encourage the optimization of roundabout geometry in terms of its noise reduction capabilities in the preliminary design phase of these intersections.

Keywords: noise emission model; fastest path; relative speed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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