Noise Control in Metropolitan Transport

Abstract

The control of noise generated by traffic is of paramount importance for the preservation of the population's health since exposure to high levels of noise can cause hearing loss, hypertension, and even heart problems. This work deals especially with the noise generated by subways and addresses a form of control. In order to analyze the final result of the acoustic treatments that were proposed - installation of acoustic barriers - a computer program developed and validated by the Laboratory of Acoustics and Vibrations - LAV - of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - FEMEC - of the Federal University of Uberlândia - was used. UFU – for the simulation of Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) in the vicinity of the subway, its impact is analyzed by the recommendations contained in the document FTA-VA-90-103-06:2006 [1]. For the acoustic treatment in the simulated subway line, the need for barriers that provide a minimum attenuation of 35 dB(A) was established. Impact areas were defined for the analysis of project effectiveness. To enable the simulation, a three-dimensional model of the area was created and then the Sound Power Levels (NWS) of the source (metro itself) and the acoustic properties of the barrier materials were identified. After performing the acoustic field simulations, it was proved that the final situation will generate, at most, a moderate level impact in the pre-established areas.