Cruising on a highway can be a fun and relaxing experience, but it can be ruined by the loud noise made by cars. The higher the speed, the louder the traffic becomes. Even a slow speed increase of ten miles per hour can be distracting. The noise pollution can also affect small animals and their habitats.
Noise barriers reduce traffic noise
Noise barriers are an effective method for reducing traffic noise on highways. They reduce noise levels by limiting truck access and adjusting traffic signals. However, noise barriers cannot completely eliminate the noise. There are other solutions, such as noise-compatible land-use planning. The aim of noise-compatible land-use planning is to direct residential development away from highways.
Noise barriers are constructed with thick materials to reflect noise, so that they block out more than 60% of it. This can greatly reduce the amount of traffic noise on highways. However, noise barriers are not the perfect solution for all highways. Noise barriers need to be designed carefully. They must take into consideration the noise levels and annoyance of surrounding residents.
The distance between the barrier and receiver is an important consideration. Because noise travels in waves, the barrier is only effective at reducing sound close to the barrier. Further away, the barrier is less effective and may amplify noise.
Concrete road surface is noisier than asphalt
The noise of tyres on a road surface can vary considerably depending on speed. Research has shown that cement concrete surfaces are more noisy than asphalt, and that a higher speed increases noise levels. It also makes a difference in how noise-sensitive your vehicle is. In this article, we’ll compare the noise characteristics of these two road surfaces. We’ll discuss the impact of speed and vehicle size on the noise levels of each road surface.
Asphalt is quieter than concrete because it is more flexible and porous, which reduces noise. Some asphalts are designed to be noise-absorbing, such as mastic asphalt. On the other hand, cement concrete is rigid. Both types of road surfaces deform under the pressure of vehicles, but slight deformations are not audible. This is because the noise is absorbed by succeeding layers of asphalt.
Noise levels measured by the SPB method are different on asphalt and cement pavements. The results are shown in Fig. 8. The sound level of an asphalt concrete road varied between 93 and 101 dBA, while it varied between 92 and 98 dBA for cement concrete pavements. This indicates that asphalt concrete surface has better noise attenuation than cement concrete.
Tires block small animals from getting from one habitat to another
Tires can also be a source of mosquito larval infestations. A recent study revealed that half of mosquito species inhabit tires, and larvae in these structures varied dramatically in both species composition and abundance. Moreover, these discarded tires are in close proximity to human populations, which makes them important for mosquito studies.
Effects of rain on traffic noise
Rain can affect the amount of noise produced by highway traffic. It can cause vibrations in the tyres, which increase noise. The rain also causes spray to come off the wheels. In addition, water on the road surface can interfere with noise generation and propagation. One study on a Portuguese motorway found that water increased overall traffic noise by four decibels. In addition, the study found that noise at high frequencies (1000 hertz) increased by up to 15 decibels.
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 provides authorities with the authority to evaluate environmental impact and the responsibility to mitigate it. It also directs the government to use all practical means to protect the environment. The National Environmental Policy Act is intended to protect human health and the environment. Rain, snow, and other weather conditions can reduce freeway speeds by ten to forty percent.
Sound barrier installations on highways are an effective way to reduce noise levels. A sound barrier can reduce highway traffic noise by ten to fifteen decibels. In some cases, noise barriers can even cut traffic noise in half. These barriers can be constructed of various materials, including timber, stucco, concrete, and metal. However, these barriers are not effective if they are not constructed at the right height and width.
