How to evaluate the noise reduction effect of road noise barriers?

Road noise barriers are the most common noise reduction facilities in traffic sections with heavy traffic flow, installed with the purpose of reducing noise. But how effective are they? And how can we evaluate their effectiveness?

In evaluating the noise reduction effect of road noise barriers, two main methods are commonly employed: indoor testing and on-site testing.

Indoor testing involves conducting experiments on the noise barriers in a laboratory setting to assess their noise reduction effect. This method requires the use of specialized testing instruments and equipment such as sound sources, sound level meters, signal processors, along with corresponding testing software. During the testing process, it's essential to follow standard testing procedures and strictly adhere to testing requirements for data processing and analysis.

On-site testing, on the other hand, involves assessing the noise reduction effect of the barriers in their actual application environment. This method requires selecting a certain number of test points around the noise barriers and using sound level meters to measure the sound pressure levels at different locations. During measurements, it's crucial to control environmental factors such as acoustic conditions, meteorological conditions, and background noise, and accurately process and analyze test data.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on practical considerations and requirements. Regardless of the method chosen, it's essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results to objectively evaluate the noise reduction effect of the barriers.