Mitigating transit noise through urban planning and design

Abstract

This thesis examines how urban design techniques can be used for path mitigation of transit noise. Noise problems from rail transit systems persist despite the existence of at-source noise reduction techniques for rail transit systems and substantial research on architectural acoustic solutions. Conventional planning literature suggests separating noise sources from residential parcels, a theory now seen as inadequate in dense urban environments. Because noise remains a problem, new techniques should be explored to find alternative means of reducing environmental noise. By using computer software to model the promulgation of environmental noise from rail transit, the effectiveness of eight urban design techniques were examined. In addition to the preliminary modeling of the eight techniques, four neighborhoods were modeled to examine how noise promulgates through real environments. Additional urban design elements were then added to the model to determine how these urban design techniques can mitigate noise. This thesis concludes that urban design techniques can be used to mitigate transit noise; however, noise should not be the only consideration when designing the urban environment. Furthermore, the thesis makes recommendations regarding land use policy and transit system management.