Vehicle-specific noise exposure cost: Noise impact allocation methodology for microscopic traffic simulations

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Transport and environment, 2023-05, Vol.118, p.103712, Article 103712
• Main Authors: Nygren, Johan, Boij, Susann, Rumpler, Romain, O’Reilly, Ciarán J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Microscopic traffic simulations; Microscopic traffic simulationsRoad traffic noiseNoise exposureNoise impact assessment; Noise exposure; Noise impact assessment; Road traffic noise
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2023.103712

This paper proposes a methodology in traffic noise assessment, whose objective is to combine microscopic traffic simulations and noise calculation methods with macro-level, systemic noise impact assessment models. This combination, referred to as the vehicle-specific noise exposure cost (NEC), provides a per-vehicle contribution to the overall noise impact. Three case studies are introduced illustrating the potential of the methodology: a reference case with a dynamic traffic flow, the correlation between vehicle-specific NECs and average speeds, and vehicle-specific NECs in a mixed traffic fleet. The results highlight the interest and importance of using a microscopic approach, as the impact of interactions, vehicle-specific characteristics and behaviors are reflected into the associated NECs. Additionally, the correlation between vehicle-specific NECs and average speeds strongly depends on traffic conditions, further highlighting the importance of methodological features such as the interactions captured in microscopic traffic simulations or the acceleration-dependency of the implemented vehicle noise source model. •Original approach for noise impact allocation combining micro and macroscopic models.•Evaluation of microscopic noise impact while preserving the systemic impact.•Accounting for vehicle interactions and changing traffic conditions.•Application to academic test cases with mixed fleet and varying traffic density.