Noise generated by Road Traffic

Estimate noise level generated by traffic.

Hourly traffic noise level from roads with speed 75 km/h can be indicated from the chart sbelow:

Download and print Noise Level from Traffic chart

Noise level from traffic chart - correction heavy traffic Download and print Noise Level from Traffic - Correction for Heavy Traffic chart

Example - Traffic noise from a road

From the first chart the hourly noise level from a road with 100 vehicles per hour and speed 75 km/h can be estimated to

62 dBA

If the percentage of heavy vehicles is 15% the last chart indicates that

3 dBA

must be added.

It can be assumed that the hourly noise level is approximately

62 dBA + 3 dBA = 65 dBA

Note that this level is only an indication. The noise is influenced by speed, standard and types of vehicles, tarmac quality, type of wheels with or without studs - and more.