New vehicle noise emission for French traffic noise prediction

Traffic noise prediction models in France are based on vehicle noise emission values defined by the French Guide du Bruit des Transports Terrestres (Noise Guide for Ground Transport – Noise levels prediction). These emission values are suited for models addressing the noise assessments of road infrastructures and the dimensioning of acoustic protections, needing traffic noise estimations in terms of image over a long period of time (an hour or more). The values, obtained from measurements collected in the 70s, are updated in the publication of a new guide (Methodological Guide, Vehicle noise emissions, to be published), which addresses the road surface influence on tyre/road noise. The emission values are now expressed through the contributions of a power unit component, function of traffic speed, traffic flow type and road declivity, and of a rolling noise component, function of traffic speed and road pavement. The paper outlines the procedures followed to determine the components, gives their numerical values, and illustrates some vehicle noise emissions.