EVALUATION OF MODELS FOR PREDICTING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC NOISE

摘要

Several mathematical models have been proposed for predicting highways traffic noise on highways. Performance of these models depends on location of use, hence, the need for evaluation of existing models before adoption in any location. This study evaluates the predicting accuracy of four mathematical models towards predicting highways traffic noise in Ogun State. These models include Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN), Acoustical Society of Japan-Road Traffic Noise (ASJ RTN), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) model. Traffic noise was measured using a Sound Level Meter on four major highways. Traffic data consisting of traffic volume, type of vehicle, speed, distance and road characteristics were collected and used as input to evaluate the models. Results show that the Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) of the CRTN model was found to be 0.37 while the value RLS90 model was found to be 0.32. In terms of two-sample t-test, the CRTN model had a value of 2.36 while the RLS90 model had a value of 2.97. The CNR and FHWA model had a RMSD value of 0.2 and 0.31 with a t-value of 2.15 and 2.62. The result of the analysis revealed that the CNR model had the best performance when compared to the CRTN, FHWA and RLS90 models, hence the model can be used as a reliable forecast tool for planning and activities aimed at mitigating highway traffic noise in the state.