Here's another reference to the Austrian "Low-Noise Road" Umbrella project.

	 http://www.cordis.lu/austria/english/newslett/letter68.html

   "Noise pollution is one of the greatest drawbacks of road traffic. The
aim under the "Low-Noise Road" umbrella project was to investigate whether
an extremely quiet "70 dB(A) car" is possible. It is in fact possible and
therefore so is a fifty percent reduction in noise pollution from road
traffic.

From: Federico Miyara <fmiyara@...>
Subject: Re: Ohio DOT Reversal - Trees ARE a Noise Barrier!

David:

> [If anyone can authoritatively refute this, would they please post it to
> the list?  I will forward comments to the Ohio DOT.  -DS]

J. E. PIercy and G.A. Daigle, in Chapter 3 of the "Handbook of Acoustical
Measurements and Noise Control, edited by Cyril Harris (a very
recommendable and readable reference available from the Acoustical Society
of America at about U$S 50) include a table such as this (abridged and
adapted):

|Attenuation due to dense foliage
|
|Freq. [Hz]       31.5   125    500    1000    2000   4000   8000
|Atten. [dB/100m]  2      3      4       5       6      8     12

These values are valid up to 200 m. For greater distances, refraction
curvature of sound rays due to temperature gradients should be taken into
account.

Consider that this is "excess attenuation"; there are other factors such as
divergence attenuation (3 to 6 dB for each doubling of distance) and air
absorption attenuation (a complex phenomenon involving frequency,
temperature and relative humidity).

This table refers to plain dB. In order to know the attenuation in dBA, one
should know the frequency spectrum of the specific noise to be attenuated.
However, for usual traffic noise I guess (without calculations since I'm
out of time now) about 6 dBA attenuation for 100 m, which would yield about
2 dBA for 30 m, far less than the alleged 5 dBA.

The attenuating effect (insertion loss) may be greater when the tree
barrier and the receiver are closer to the source, since high frequencies,
which contribute more to dBA, haven't been attenuated by air absorption yet
(air absorption is more pronounced at high frequency). If the receiver is
far away from the source, I guess the resulting attenuation won't be
significant.

Trees are, however, a good resource to hide noise barriers. And, of course,
good to compensate for CO2 generated by traffic.

Best regards.

Federico Miyara

Nice page by Prof. Ernst Pucher of the Vienna University of Technology

"LOW-NOISE ROAD", by the Austrian Ministry of Science and Transport
and the INNOVATION and TECHNOLOGY FUND (ITF) with main research and
technology emphasis on TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY.

See http://info.tuwien.ac.at/epucher/LN_R_eng.htm

Hello

This is an answer that have received David Staudacher :
Voici une réponse reçue par David Staudacher sur l'impact de la
végétation sur le bruit routier :

=== Quiet-List message from "Robert N. Andres" <oshex@...>
===
~
I agree with Elvin. Vegetation is not usually a good barrier choice. In
order to be an effective noise barrier, the stand of trees must be
dense,
and must be about 30 meters or more in depth. The 5dBA "insertion loss"
seems realistic, according to everything I have read and experienced. I
wouldn't expect much more than this.

BOB
====

Quelle est votre expérience en ce domaine ?
What can you say about this thema ?

Thierry

> ----------
> De :  David Staudacher[SMTP:quiet@...]
> Répondre à :  quiet-list@...
> Date : mercredi 12 janvier 2000 23:03
> Objet : [QL] Ohio DOT Reversal - Trees ARE a Noise Barrier!
>
> === Quiet-List message from David Staudacher <quiet@...> ===
> ~
> (1) "Densly planted deciduous and evergreen trees 30 meters thick will
> have a
>     five decible noise reduction effect." - Elvin Pinckney, Ohio Dept of
> Transportation
>
> [If anyone can authoritatively refute this, would they please post it to
> the list?  I will forward comments to the Ohio DOT.  -DS]
>
> From: "Robin Grant" <rgrant@...>
> To: <quiet@...>
>
> > Mr. Staudacher,
> >
> > Thank you for your inquiry regarding the ODOT Legacy Tree Planting
> Program.
> > Although ODOT does not routinely use trees as noise barriers, according
> to
> > Elvin Pinckney, environmental surpervisor for the ODOT Office of
> Environmental
> > Services, they can act as a sound barrier along roadways.  Densly
> planted
> > deciduous and evergreen trees 30 meters thick will have a five decible
> noise
> > reduction effect. To say that trees "reduce highway noise," as was
> printed in
> > the press release, was not necessarily a false statement.  However, it
> is true
> > trees are not routinely used as a noise barrier.  They are primarily
> used for
> > soil stablization, visual screening and aesthetic purposes.
> >
> > I apologize that the statement was not more specific. Thank you for your
>
> > concern in this matter. The department welcomes public comment on its
> > projects, and appreciates your input.
> >
> > If you would like additional information or have other comments, feel
> free to
> > email me. Thank you again for your comments.
> > Respectfully,
> > Robin Grant
> > ODOT Office of Communications
> > (614) 466-7170
> > rgrant@...
>
>
>
> "David Staudacher" <quiet@...> Wrote:
>
> > What is the basis of your statement that trees are an effective noise
> > barrier?  Any qualified acoustics expert can tell you that trees are
> > ineffective as a sound barrier.  Telling people that putting trees
> between
> > them and a highway will reduce road noise is bogus.
> >
> >   David Staudacher - quiet@...
> >   Right to Quiet Society - http://www.quiet.org
> >
> ~
> ==========================================================================
> =
> QUIET-LIST:   Internet Mail List for Noise Pollution, Soundscape
> Awareness,
> and the Right to Quiet.  Post messages to "quiet-list@...".
> To subscribe, send message "subscribe quiet-list" to
> "majordomo@...".
> ==========================================================================
> =
>

> ----------
> De :  Robert N. Andres[SMTP:oshex@...]
> Répondre à :  quiet-list@...
> Date : mardi 11 janvier 2000 14:48
> A : quiet-list@...
> Objet : [QL] Live Industrial Noise Protection Chat - Tues. 10:30 am
>
> === Quiet-List message from "Robert N. Andres" <oshex@...> ===
> ~
>
> [Fwd from: Blazedell@...]
>
> > WorldSafety.com Reminder!
> > Industrial Noise Control Chat:  Tuesday Jan 11 @ 10:30 e.s.t.
> > Just Visit:   http://www.worldsafety.com/chat.html  or
> > http://www.WorldSafety.com/
> >
> > Guest Panelist Description:
>
> > Robert Andres, CSP, CPE, CMfgE, founded OSHEX ASSOCIATES, INC. a firm
> > providing noise control services and materials - in 1975. He has
> conducted
> > numerous training sessions in product, industrial, architectural and
> > community noise, and is a scheduled speaker on "Industrial Noise
> Measurement
> > and Control" at the ASSE Professional Development Conference in Orlando
> (June
> > 26-28, 2000).
> >
> > Bob will be on-line for an hour or more to answer your questions
> regarding
> > OSHA noise regulations, noise measurement, noise basics and noise
> abatement
> > procedures
> >
> > Hope to see you there!   As always, transcripts will be available for
> those
> > that can not attend, please stop by the website to request a copy..
> >
> > Best and Safest Regards,
>
> > Mike Blazedell
> > Founder:  http://www.WorldSafety.com/
> > WebMaster: http://www.Vallen.com/
> > Now you can Shop Vallen Online!
> ~
> ==========================================================================
> =
> QUIET-LIST:   Internet Mail List for Noise Pollution, Soundscape
> Awareness,
> and the Right to Quiet.  Post messages to "quiet-list@...".
> To subscribe, send message "subscribe quiet-list" to
> "majordomo@...".
> ==========================================================================
> =
>

Hello everybody ! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

I'm the egroup's manager and I'm back from holydays ready to work for
this mailing list on road traffic noise.

Bonjour et bonne années à tous.
Je suis de retour de vacances et de nouveau prêt à animer cette liste
de discussion.

A Bientôt.

Hi,
I am looking for any information that will help me in the construction
of a sound barrier to reduce traffic noise at my home, can you help.

Michael

Hello,
I'm the manager of this egroup.

For some weeks, I have holidays, from the 17 december of 1999 to the
10th january (included).

         :-))) !!!

Have a merry christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

I'll be back on the eleventh of january.

Bye !!!

> ----------
> De :  crleech@...[SMTP:crleech@...]
> Répondre à :  alt-transp@...
> Date : dimanche 21 novembre 1999 18:29
> A : alt-transp@...
> Cc : craig@...
> Objet : alt-transp Info Request - Park and Ride
>
>
>
>     ================= Begin forwarded message =================
>
> Non-member submission from [Craig Anderson <craig@...>]:
>
>     Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 09:33:07 +0000
>     From: Craig Anderson <craig@...>
>     To: alt-transp@...
>     Subject: Info Request
>
>     Just curious if anyone may be able to lead me to any sources of info
> on
>     the
>     linkage between park-and-ride lots on urban peripheries and
>     pedestrianized/car-free zones in CBD's, e.g. Nuremburg, Germany. I'm
>     also particularly interested in the economic impacts - positive or
>     negative - of parking reductions in downtowns.
>
>     Thanks in advance for any help.
>
>     Craig Anderson
>
>
>
>
> --
> ####    |\^/|     Colin R. Leech     ag414 or crleech@...
> #### _|\|   |/|_  Civil engineer by training, transport planner by choice.
> #### >         <  Opinions are my own. You may consider them shareware.
> ####  >_./|\._<   "If you can't return a favour, pass it on." - A.L. Brown
>

> ----------
> De :  Robert Silverman[SMTP:rsilver@...]
> Répondre à :  alt-transp@...
> Date : mercredi 17 novembre 1999 04:24
> A : Alt Transport
> Objet : alt-transp Free Buses and bikes instead of Ringroad
>
>
> >X-Sender: greenspi@...
> >Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 19:52:08 -0500
> >To: (Recipient list suppressed)
> >From: Greenspiration Odyssey <greenspiration@...>
> >Subject: Free Buses and bikes instead of Ringroad
> >Mime-Version: 1.0
> >
> >Thanks to Daniel Say for digging this gem up. It stretches the realm of
> the
> >possiblity.
> >
> >Why not send a copy of this news report along with a cover letter to your
> >local Mayor?
> >
> >- angela and tooker
> >
> >
> >                                      CNN
> >                          SHOW: CNN TODAY 13:00 pm ET
> >                  July 14, 1998; Tuesday 2:56 pm Eastern Time
> >                            Transcript # 98071409V13
> >
> >SECTION: News; International
> >LENGTH: 458 words
> >HEADLINE:  Belgium Experiments With Free Public Transportation
> >BYLINE:  Natalie Allen, Patricia Kelly
> >
> >HIGHLIGHT:
> >A look at a city in Belgium that has entrusted its future to the prospect
> of
> >free public transportation.
> >
> >
> >   NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to tell you about a city in
> Belgium.
> >It is hailing the day that it entrusted its future to the prospect of
> free
> >public transportation.
> >
> >   As CNN's Patricia Kelly reports, today this is a city on a roll.
> >
> >   (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
> >
> >   PATRICIA KELLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sixty-eight thousand
> people
> >live in the Belgium town of Hasselt. Another 200,000 people commute in
> and out
> >every day. Faced with rising debt and traffic congestion, the local mayor
> >decided to abandon plans to build a third ring road around town.
> >
> >   Of the two existing two ring roads he closed one down and planted
> trees in
> >place. He laid down more pedestrian walkways and cycle tracks and then he
> >announced public transport would be free of charge.
> >
> >   MAYOR STEVE STEVAERT, HASSELT, BELGIUM (through translator): I thought
> it
> >wouldn't solve the problems we had was new roads and parking spaces.
> >
> >   KELLY: A year later the use of public transport has increased by a
> >staggering
> >800 percent.
> >
> >   UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) I don't take the bus, but now it's
> free, I
> >take it a lot of times and it is stops right in front of my door, so it
> is
> >very
> >easy.
> >
> >   UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is good for business in town and there is a lot
> more
> >people and a lot less traffic.
> >
> >   KELLY: Hasselt has been showered with international awards and prizes
> >for the
> >innovative way it has tackled congestion and pollution. The scheme has
> made
> >the town more pleasant, and attracted more business.
> >
> >   STEVAERT (through translator): There are fewer accidents, fewer road
> >casualties and we see an increase in social activity.
> >
> >   KELLY: The accent is not only on free, but higher frequency and better
> >quality transport.
> >
> >   (on camera): The same day the town made the buses free, the mayor
> slashed
> >local taxes. The habitants of Hasselt are paying less now than they were
> 10
> >years ago.
> >
> >   (voice-over): That's because more people are attracted to Hasselt
> >because it
> >is easier to get there than before, and extra income they're generating,
> means
> >the tax burden on locals can be reduced. The town's public debt is also
> lower
> >than 10 years ago.
> >
> >   STEVAERT (through translator): They pay less and get more and
> therefore the
> >people are happy.
> >
> >   KELLY: The mayor says in his view, there is no sense in offering free
> >public
> >transport unless it is part of a wider plan to give people a better
> quality of
> >life without charging them for more it. And on the first anniversary of
> free
> >buses, he's offering free use of public bicycles.
> >
> >   Patricia Kelly, CNN, Hasselt, Belgium.
> >
> >   (END VIDEOTAPE)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> >With the Greenspiration Odyssey we are in search of inspiring
> >ecological stories.
> >
> >Every week or so we send out a dispatch. Let us know if you would like
> >to be on our email list, or if you know of a place we should visit.
> >
> >* Drop us a line at: greenspiration@...
> >* Visit our homepage at: http://www.greenspiration.org/
> >
> >- Angela Bischoff and Tooker Gomberg
> >:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> >
>
> My home page: <http://www.cam.org/~rsilver/>
> My sister site, Le Monde @ Bicyclette: <http://www.cam.org/~lemab/>
>
>

Hello,

The 10th of November, the french ministers of Environment and
Transportation have explained the Minister's Council what they want to
do to reduce high level of noise nearby railroads, highways and roads.

You can find more informations at :

http://www.environnement.gouv.fr/dossiers/bruit/pnsomm.htm#hautpage

Le 10 novembre, les ministres de l'environnement et de l'équipement on
fait une présentation en conseil des ministres de la politique à mener
pour la réduction des points noirs du bruit. Vous trouverez davantage
d'information sur le lien ci-dessus.

Hello,

This is a web site on the Traffic Reduction Kit wich help residents
reduce traffic volume and speed in their street :

URL : http://www.lesstraffic.com/

Ceci est un site promouvant une valise pédagogique permettant aux
habitants de réduire le trafic et la vitesse des véhicules dans leurs
rues.

Sorry,

The right URL is :

http://www.usroads.com/journals/p/rej/9710/re971004.htm

Thanks.

Hello,

An article of The US ROADS, Road Engineering Journal, describes the
factors that determine the reduction in Property Values caused by
Traffic Noise.

Extract : A major study of noise costs conducted for the 1982 Federal
Cost Allocation Study "assumed a 0.4 percent decrease in the value of a
housing unit for each dBA (Leq) increase over a threshold value of 55
dBA."

You can find this article at :

http://www.usroads.com/journal/p/rej/9710/re971004.htm

Un article de l'US ROADS décrit les facteurs déterminant la réduction
des valeurs immobiliaires dues au bruit de trafic. Vous trouverez
l'intégralité de l'article à l'adresse ci-dessus.

Hello,

This is the URL of a very intesting web site on noise and traffic. You
can find a lot of informations :

http://www.xs4all.nl/~rigolett/ENGELS

Visit it!

Sorry,

The URL is :

http://www.measure.demon.co.uk/Acoustics_Software/anc.html

Excuse me for this mistake

Hello,

Do you want to be an anti noise processor ? Try this game :

http://www.measure.demon.co.uk/Acoustics.Software/anc.html

Voulez-vous voir le résultats d'un exemple de participation citoyenne
lors de l'élaboration d'un plan municipal de lutte contre le bruit ?
Do you want to see the results of the citizen implication in doing the
city program against noise ?

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/citynoisereport/

Tire and Road Noise, by Ulf Sandberg

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0419193405/002-7477687-4401857

Bonjour, voici un événement qui devrait vous intéresser.
Hello, This is an event that might be interesting.

Event: INTERNOISE 2000
Date: Fri 27 Aug 1999
Description: International Congress on Noise
Nice
e-mail : sfa@...


To add this event to your personal calendar, simply click on this link:
http://www.egroups.com/cal?md=copy&prevMd=d&day=27&eid=305872"

If you have any other comments, you can reply to this message.

eGroups.com Calendar

Next year, there will be in France the Inter.Noise 2000 on Noise
Control Engineering. It will take place in Nice from  27 August to 30
August.
You can find more information about this congress at :
http://internoise2000.loa.espci.fr

L'année prochaine aura lieu un congrès international (interNoise 2000)
en France, à Nice du 27 au 30 août 2000. Vous pouvez trouver davantage
d'informations sur le site :
http://internoise2000.loa.espci.fr

Bonjour,

Dans l'édition du 10 septembre 1999 du Bulletin électronique de la
Tri-State Transportation Campaign (http://wwww.tstc.org) concernant la
région de New-York on peut trouver cet article :

In the electronic edition of the Bulletin n°236 of the Tri-State
Transportation Campaign (http://www.tstc.org) you can read :

        "NYC GRIDLOCK: LESS PARKING = LESS TRAFFIC

          A recent Daily News expose' suggests a permanent means
        Mayor Giuliani could exercise to curb gridlock -- severely
        limit the availability of free parking permits for city
        workers. The News found that New York City agencies dole
        out over 15,000 all-purpose free parking permits to city
        employees and politically-connected out-of-towners every
        year. Distributions include 9,776 placards to the
        Transportation Department, 5,348 to the Police Department,
        and 296 to Fire officials.  In addition to these legal permits,
        some agencies reproduce permits so that more workers can car
        commute through the nation's worst traffic.

          Last spring, a survey by a Lower Manhattan paper, the
        Tribeca Trib, found that 9 of 10 daytime vehicles on streets
        with high parking demand had city parking permits or special
        plates.  Lower Manhattan boasts one of the greatest densities
        of subway stations in the world,  but city policy has fostered
        generations of municipal car potatoes and extra traffic.
        Changing this bad habit could have a more lasting impact, at
        least downtown, than the city's ephemeral don't-block-the-
        box blitzes."

Hello, Bonjour,

A report about the effects of noise on community is now available on
the W.H.O. site. You can find it and download all the report at :

http://www.who.int/peh/Information_resources/community_noise.htm

A l'adresse ci-dessus, vous trouverez un rapport en anglais "Community
noise" sur les effets du bruit (santé, économie).

You shall find in this report that a study in sweden (Kihlman, Wibe &
S.V. Johansson, 1993) indicates that tenants in residential buildings
exposed to road traffic nise higher than 70 dB LAeq outdoors would be
willing to pay an extra cost for sound proof windows of around 1500 ECU
per window.

>........

What a quiet world !

Here are two starting points:

Taylor, S.M. et al. The Effect of road traffic noise on house
prices, J. Sound Vibr. 80(1982)4, 523 - 541.

Doctoral Thesis:
Vainio, M, Traffic noise and air pollution. Valuation of externalities
with hedonic price and contingent valuation methods.
Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration.
Acta Universitats Oeconomicae Helsingiensis. 1995. 239 p.
My note: Please, consider the methods used very critically.

Kari Pesonen


>> ----------
>> De : SOFNABQ@...[SMTP:SOFNABQ@...]
>> Répondre à : tdussautoir@...
>> Date : vendredi 27 août 1999 15:54
>> A : tdussautoir@...
>> Objet : Re: Noise Effect on Real Estate Values:any studies
>> available?
>>
>>
>> ~
>> Among the "Sound Bytes" that our group compiled was the following:
>>
>> "By one estimate, traffic noise reduced home property values by $6 to $182
>>
>> per decibel."  The Source was an article entitled "Breaking the Highway
>> Habit: On the Right Track" from "The Neighborhood Works", Feb-March 1993
>> (Carl Vogel and Debra Schwartz). If you can locate this article, it might
>> lead you to more information.
>>
>> Steve Frazier
>> Abq. NM
>>
>>
>>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>e-mail : traffic-noise@egroups.com
>Le monde du silence ...
>The world of silence ...
>

> ----------
> De :  SOFNABQ@...[SMTP:SOFNABQ@...]
> Répondre à :  tdussautoir@...
> Date : vendredi 27 août 1999 15:54
> A : tdussautoir@...
> Objet : Re: Noise Effect on Real Estate Values:any studies
> available?
>
>
> ~
> Among the "Sound Bytes" that our group compiled was the following:
>
> "By one estimate, traffic noise reduced home property values by $6 to $182
>
> per decibel."  The Source was an article entitled "Breaking the Highway
> Habit: On the Right Track" from "The Neighborhood Works", Feb-March 1993
> (Carl Vogel and Debra Schwartz). If you can locate this article, it might
> lead you to more information.
>
> Steve Frazier
> Abq. NM
>
>
>

Hi all, here's an event that you may be interested in. It's the Internation=
al Noise Awareness Day which is sponsored in part by Right of Quiet Society.=


Event: International Noise Awareness Day
Date: Wed Apr 12, 2000
Time: 2:15 am
Description: Please Take 60 seconds on this day to be quiet ans listen to t=
he sounds around you.

Prenez, s'il vous plait, 60 secondes ce jour là pendant lesquelles vous res=
terez silencieux et écouterez les sons autour de vous

To add this event to your personal calendar, simply click on this link:
http://www.egroups.com/cal?md=copy&prevMd=d&day=12&eid=213849"

If you have any other comments, you can reply to this message.

eGroups.com Calendar

Lower speeds e.g. 50 k or 30 k may reduce noise in
suburban streets. But, one effect is to push more traffic
onto streets or roads that already carry heavy traffic.

Whether a car passes by at any speed, a noisy car or
a quiet car will either be noisy or quiet.

Owners should be forced to ensure their car emits no more
noise than factory specifications at all times. The cost to do
this is tiny.


Neville
Brisbane  Australia

Hello,

In France and European Union there is discussions about what we call
"Point Noir du Bruit (Noise Black Spot)" or "Zone de Bruit critique
(critical noise area)". The noise levels in France are over 70 dB(A)
the day (6-22h) and over 65 dB(A) the night. Could you send to the
egroup the levels practice in your country.

Thanks you for your subscription to this egroup.

This is a group for local governments, technicians and engineers about how =
managing traffic noise in urban areas and technical solutions. Language : En=
glish and Français

Group Manager: traffic-noise-owner@egroups.com

To subscribe, send a message to traffic-noise-subscribe@egroups.com or go to the e-groups's home page at http://www.egroups.com/group/traffic-noise/

> ----------
> De :  Simone Stridde[SMTP:stridde@...]
> Date : jeudi 26 août 1999 18:48
> A : DUSSAUTOIR Thierry /DVT
> Cc : 'acoustic-ecology@...'
> Objet : Re: road traffic noise in urban areas
>
> I'm living in Berlin, Germany, and today a group of citizens have found
> a way to reduce that noise: cars are not allowed by law to drive over 30
> kilometers per hour in their street.
> Greetinx, Simone.
>
>