Diffraction edges perceived efficiency

Abstract

Today, noise barriers are recognized as the most effective noise minimization measures of road traffic noise near sensitive receptors located in the road surrounding areas. Especially where the urban occupation is characterized by buildings of low height. For higher buildings noise barriers can not be a completely effective solution. One of the additional measures to increase efficiency may consist of placing, on top of noise barriers, an edge for reducing diffraction more efficiently without significantly increasing its height. We present a case study in which diffracting edges were place few years after the implementation of noise barriers, and through the relationship between sound attenuation and noise perception it is possible to conclude that the benefits in population of this intervention are higher than expected.