Location-Design Control of Transportation Noise

Noise conditions found around airports and roadways are described together with procedures for rating the complaint potential of such noise in impacted inhabited areas. Various location and design schemes for reducing undue noise radiation from transportation facilities are appraised. Site selection for these installations compatible with surrounding land use is acknowledged as a key noise control measure. Erection of barriers between a noisy transportation facility and the nearest receiver (resident) or depressing the installation are shown to cause significant attenuation of radiating noise. Trees and shrubs will not constitute an effective sound barrier unless broad areas can be densely planted. Vibration isolation, the elimination of irregularities in vehicle contact surfaces, and sound absorbent materials as applied in certain types of facilities are helpful in curbing the generation and transmission of intruding sound. A final comment is given to the problem of sonic booms expected with the advent of commercial supersonic air service.