A full-scale intervention example of the quiet-side concept in a residential area exposed to road traffic noise: Effects on the perceived sound environment and general annoyance

Paper in proceeding, 2010

The “quiet side concept” was tested in a full-scale intervention project in a residential area exposed to high sound levels from road traffic. Through new buildings that fill in gaps between buildings facing the highway, a considerable rebuilding of the dwellings and erection of a noise barrier, less noise-exposed courtyards and sides of the dwellings were created, although the definition for a “quiet side” (LAeq,24h <45 dB, free field value) was not reached. A longitudinal questionnaire study was conducted before (2004) and after (2009) the interventions. The results in the after-study 2009 show that noise levels, in general, were reduced with 5-10 dB at the most traffic exposed side and with 4-10 dB at the less noise exposed side (courtyards), general noise annoyance was decreased substantially, and the perceived sound environment indoors and outdoors was improved for three out of five investigated building sites. Although the implemented extensive interventions and the significantly lower noise levels, there were still a majority of the respondents in the residential area that perceived the outdoor environment as dominated by sounds from road traffic.