A noise barrier is an obstruction built between the noise source (generally a highway) and the residential properties affected by it. Unfortunately it does not completely stop all the noise, but it can greatly reduce the noise. An effective noise barrier typically can reduce the noise levels by 5 to 10 decibels, reducing the loudness of road noise by as much as one half.

A noise barrier located at busy road can reduce the noise by either absorbing it, transmitting it, reflecting it back across the busy road, or directing it along a longer path over and around the barrier. The characteristics of a noise barrier is that it must be tall and long enough to block the view of the busy road from the area that is going to be protected, in this case the "receiver." The huge limitations of the noise barrier is that it cannot offer a good noise protection for instance to houses located on a hillside overlooking the busy road of for a condominiums building where the majority of its flats rise above the noise barrier.

General trend for an effective noise barrier can afford a 5 dB noise level reduction, when its height is enough to break the line-of-sight from the busy road to the nearest noise residential property or receiver. After breaking the line-of-sight, the noise barrier generally can achieve approximately 1.5dB of additional noise reduction for each meter of barrier height.

There are different types of materials for a noise barrier, it can be constructed from masonry, metal, concrete, etc. It must be taken in consideration that generally all noise barrier materials types are equally effective is they are built with rigid materials with enough density (minimum 20 kilograms/square meter). On this case they can reduce effectively the sound transmission across the barrier.

SSAC has been contacted on different occasions to evaluate the construction of an acoustic barrier to protect nearest noise residential properties from a busy road including highways.

The first step is in our noise barrier design process was exhaustive acoustic evaluation of the affected area to determine the noise abatement needed. The second step was select noise sensitive receivers at nearest residential properties for measurement and analysis, with the results we discuss the benefit of noise abatement (cost-effective abatement, noise abatement benefits, views of impacted residents, they were some of the terms under consideration for the determination of reasonableness of noise abatement).

The selection of the noise sensitive receivers was done by using complete geographic maps with aerial photography, as well by on site reconnaissance. Take were done with especial noise sensitive buildings such as schools and hospitals.

One time the noise sensitive receivers were chosen a complete noise measurement period were undertook to determine the appropriate noise abatement criterion. One time all the previous points were completed we elaborated our noise barrier design with a computer simulation program. The results after the application of the noise barrier on the study area affected by busy road showed appropriate noise mitigation at nearest noise residential property. As well, the residents’ reaction to the barrier was very positive with better sleeping conditions, more relaxing environment including with windows open.

BEFORE Application of noise barrier

AFTER Application of noise barrier

Noise Barrier Noise Levels

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