Noise mapping in urban environment – Traffic noise in the city of Zagreb

Due to constant increase in population and traffic volume, traffic noise control in urban areas today represents a major issue for the city authorities. This problem is particularly pronounced in densely built downtown areas, with many residents occupying high-rise buildings which are often placed next to major traffic routes. In order to assess the impact of traffic noise and implement effective measures against it, noise maps of verified reliability must be produced for analyzed area. This paper describes the analysis of traffic noise situation in residential area located in the vicinity of Western railway station in the centre of Croatian capital city Zagreb. The location was selected for several reasons: to determine noise levels that are generated from heavy road, rail and tram traffic with complex traffic conditions in residential downtown area, to investigate the applicability of European interim noise prediction methods in local urban conditions, to study the possible effects of noise reduction measures and also the effect of planned infrastructure on the environment. For the purpose of this analysis, noise models were produced and verified with short-term field measurements. Calculations were conducted by means of noise prediction software, using European interim noise prediction methods and 3D model of analyzed area. Finally, the results of noise calculations for existing and planned traffic infrastructure are presented on noise maps.