Chapter 5 – Transportation Noise

This chapter describes how the three main modes of transportation – road, rail and air – are accounted for in noise emission calculation models. Each mode is addressed individually and in each case the main source mechanisms are identified and described. To demonstrate how each source is accounted for, the main characteristics of a variety of common national noise calculation methods are described. These include methods that were used to develop strategic noise maps under the Environmental Noise Directive as well as methods developed beyond the European Union. The required input datasets for each emission model are identified and the steps describing how calculations are performed are outlined. In this way, an understanding is provided of how different noise calculation methods predict source emissions. The chapter concludes with observations on the technical limitations of current prediction methods and how future methods, such as the CNOSSOS-EU method, will serve to advance the current state of the art in source emission modelling for transportation sources.