Individual Vehicle Noise Research

Noise pollution from road traffic poses a significant environmental and public health challenge internationally and in New Zealand. Anecdotal evidence and media reporting suggest that loud noise from individual motor vehicles is a cause of significant annoyance. 

This research project was commissioned by NZTA and undertaken by Altissimo Consulting, ViaStrada, and Tonkin & Taylor between 2021 and 2024 to investigate factors to these individual noise events, particularly in relation to road features such as audio-tactile profiled (ATP) line-markings, bridge joints, sharp corners, speed bumps/platforms, roundabouts, and other intersections.

A literature review was undertaken, which then informed a range of field measurements and investigations. The data collected during these measurements, and obtained via reviews of previous investigations, was analysed to investigate how traffic speed/acceleration behaviours impacted the number and/or severity of individual vehicle noise events. Only extremely weak statistical relationships were identified between speed/acceleration profiles and noise events.

Potential mitigation strategies were proposed alongside an investigation of potential modelling approaches, including lowering speed limits, traffic calming features on approach, and adjusting the deceleration and acceleration zones. These modelling and mitigation strategies were limited by the lack of robust relationships found in the experimental phases.

The research report is now published and available here.