Vehicle-specific noise exposure cost: Noise impact allocation methodology for microscopic traffic simulations
Johan Nygren, Susann Boij, Romain Rumpler, Ciarán J. O’Reilly
Abstract
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.