Traffic Noise Barrier Estimation Tool

Patching Associates’ Traffic Noise Barrier Estimation Tool is a free, easy-to-use online tool that assesses noise barrier height and placement for transportation projects within municipalities. This tool provides municipal planners and developers with valuable information to inform project development. 

If you know the specifics of your project, here’s what to gather before you get started:

• Posted road speed limit (km/hr),
• Ground surface,
• Traffic Volume (Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT)),
• Heavy truck percentage,
• Road Gradient,
• Receiver distance from the middle of the intersection (m),
• Receiver elevation height from ground (m), and
• Source to Receiver distance.

If you need to meet a specific dB noise target, you can define your target Sound Pressure Level (SPL) at the receiver and the tool will calculate the required barrier height. Alternatively, you can instead select “vary barrier height” to specify a barrier height and find out the resulting SPL.

Please contact us or consult the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Road and Rail Noise: Effects on Housing standard for more information surrounding any of the above parameters. Some important notes include:

1. Traffic volume is to be provided as Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT). Peak hour traffic volumes are typically considered to be 10% of the AADT.
2. An acoustically “hard” surface is one that reflects sound well. This can include concrete, asphalt, clay, or compacted gravel. If more than half of the ground surface between the source and the receiver is hard, please select this option. Alternatively, if more than half the surface between the source and receiver is soft, such as grass and shrubbery, then please select the “soft” option.
3. The distance of Receiver from intersection is to be measured in a straight line from the center of the nearest intersection to the receiver location.  

Developed based on calculation methods obtained from the CMHC Road and Rail Noise: Effects on Housing standard, and designed to be used prior to starting a Noise Impact Assessment (NIA), The Traffic Noise Barrier Estimation Tool tool enables city planners and developers to quickly determine potential placement parameters and corresponding impacts of a noise barrier for each project. 

After determining that a noise barrier is required to meet project goals, a more detailed assessment may be required, including onsite measurements and modelling, to meet all applicable regulations. Noise regulations may also differ from those used within this estimation tool and may include more or less stringent standards. Patching Associates can help you navigate through these applicable regulatory requirements and options.

• It’s completely free! No obligation to purchase any report.
• The tool is intuitive and easy to use.
• To get a quick picture of noise barrier impacts.
• To find a starting point for your project’s noise requirements.