A model for insertion loss degradation for parallel highway noise barriers

An algorithm is developed and validated for the prediction of the reduction, or degradation, of traffic noise barrier insertion loss when a second barrier is placed on the opposite side of the highway. The algorithm combines the basic emission, propagation, and barrier attenuation features of the Federal Highway Administration traffic noise prediction model with a geometrical acoustics approach for multiple reflections. The resultant model can accommodate any number of source lanes or receivers, three vehicle categories, and independently variable barrier heights and absorption coefficients. The model was validated against mathematical, scale model, and full scale field data received from other researchers, and has proved to be a good predictor of insertion loss degradation.