Method to Calculate Time-series Road Traffic Noise using a Microscopic Traffic Model based on Single Vehicle Units

Traditional road traffic noise models exhibit the disadvantage of difficulty in interpreting fine temporal distribution that fluctuates moment by moment depending on traffic conditions. In this study, a Microscopic Road Traffic Noise(MTN) model is proposed to solve this limitation. In this model, a microscopic traffic model determines the movement behavior of individual vehicles, and road traffic noise is calculated based on this information. Hence, the MTN model calculates a time series of noise reflecting traffic conditions, allowing for the evaluation of maximum and equivalent noise levels. Comparisons with traditional models confirmed that most receivers’ calculation errors were less than 3 dB(A). Another feature is that the MTN is less sensitive to the heavy vehicles ratio than traditional models. For instance, when the average speed is 100 km/h and the heavy vehicles ratio increases from 0 % to 10 %, the equivalent noise levels of the MTN increase by 1 dB(A), whereas the Leq of RLS90 and NMPB increase by 2.58 dB(A) and 2.30 dB(A), respectively. Although the MTN still requires additional research, it is expected to aid in establishing noise prediction and management that reflect realistic traffic.