Bringing down the noise: Background Busy traffic in an area usually means noise for nearby residents and visitors. More than simply an annoyance, the vibration and noise caused when cars and trucks travel down major roads and highways impacts property values, health, and quality of life. It can also degrade enjoyment of parks, and harm native habitats. Fortunately, there are many options for reducing noise impacts from traffic. Strategies such as quiet paving, modern sound barriers, noise absorbing structures, and noise insulation for buildings are some of the remedies that can be pursued. To address the complex situations presented by heavy traffic levels, particularly heavy truck traffic and elevated freeway structures, these remedies must be pursued as a package working together. One strategy taken alone probably will not be sufficient. Rules of thumb for noise Faster speeds » More noise Traffic at 65 mph is twice as loud as the same traffic at 30 mph Higher elevation » More noise The higher a road is above grade, the farther the sound carries More trucks » More noise At 55 mph, one large truck sounds as loud as 28 autos Video introduction to traffic noise and mitigation Arizona DOT noise video (15 mins) requires Windows Media
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