Design Guide for Reducing Transportation Noise in and Around Buildings

This design guide presents a unified procedure for the selection of noise criteria in and around buildings, for the prediction of exterior and interior noise levels arising as a consequence of transportation systems operations, and for the evaluation of the adequacy of building designs with regard to environmental noise. Noise criterion levels are suggested in terms of equivalent sound levels (Leq). Simplified predictive methods enable the estimation of noise levels arising as a consequence of highway, railway, and aircraft operations. The sound isolation provided by the building shell is estimated by means of a new single-figure rating system. Finally, design manipulations which may make possible the improvement of the acoustic conditions in and around buildings are suggested.