Integration of noise in Danish road planning - methods and cost benefit

摘要

When constructing new buildings or roads in Denmark, special consideration is given totraffic noise by generally following the 58 dB national guideline. The Nordic predictionmethod, Nord2000 is used. Noise Exposure Factor (NEF) is the basis of cost-benefitanalyses. NEF is an expression of the accumulated noise load on all dwellings in an areacalculated as the sum of the weighted noise loads on dwellings. Dwellings with high noiselevels weigh more than dwellings with lower noise levels. The economic valuation of noiseeffects are based on dwellings market prices and health effects. Environmental ImpactAssessment studies including noise as an important factor when planning new highways orenlargements are also carried out. The 58 dB guideline is used whenever possible. Thepreferable solution is to locate a new highway alignment that maximizes distances toresidential areas. Noise reducing pavements, noise barriers and façade insulation are oftenused. In addition to noise abatement in road projects around 100 mill US $ have been usedsince 1992 for noise abatement at “hot spots” along the existing highways for barriers andinsulation. A noise action plan for the existing state road network from 2009 describesinitiatives to reduce noise where it is considered unacceptable. Noise initiatives in relationto maintenance of the road network are included.