Effectiveness of Short Solid Barriers to Reduce Noise Generated by Different Types of Highway Vehicles

Highway noise impacts are currently abated with relatively tall concrete noise barriers, which can be costly and visually obtrusive. Shorter barriers are starting to be evaluated for noise reduction in other states. For at-grade and elevated roadways, placement of a jersey barrier at the edge of pavement instead of a traditional metal beam guard rail could reduce noise levels enough to avoid construction of a traditional taller sound barrier. The ability to effectively mitigate noise impacts using a shorter less expensive structure such as a jersey wall, could equate to significant cost savings for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration if doing so is a viable alternative to constructing a traditional concrete noise barrier. This solution could also be effective for locations where a traditional noise barrier cannot be feasibly constructed.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Programmed
• Contract Numbers:

  SPR23B4F

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

  707 N. Calvert Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202
• Managing Organizations:

  Maryland Department of Transportation

  State Highway Administration, Office of Policy and Research
  707 North Calvert Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202
• Project Managers:

  Ridge, Sophie-ann

• Start Date: 20230403
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Height; Noise barriers; Tire/pavement noise
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01873174
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Maryland Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: SPR23B4F
• Files: RIP
• Created Date: Feb 15 2023 10:15AM