A methodology for classification by priority for action: Selecting road stretches for network noise action plans

Ruiz-Padillo, A; Torija Martinez, AJ; Ramos-Ridao, A; Ruiz, DP

Abstract

Road traffic noise is an element of outstanding importance within the overall context of
environmental impact. This problem must be technically addressed from an efficient
viewpoint, and solutions or alternatives should be considered by means of appropriate
and consolidated procedures.
Up to now, there is no regulated guideline for establishing well-founded priorities when
dealing with the diverse road stretches included in the corresponding Action Plans against
noise under the Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC). To this end, the present study
proposes a methodology to sort, by priority, road stretches identified by their noise problems
and therefore requiring appropriate action. The methodology is based on the so-called
‘‘road stretch priority index’’ (henceforth referred to as RSPI). This index involves a number
of variables (called ‘‘road stretch priority variables’’) that are weighted according to their
influence on the road traffic noise problem. Thus, the RSPI makes it possible to prioritize
different stretches of the Action Plan. To illustrate the application of the proposed methodology,
this paper also describes a real case entailing a difficult choice, applying the
proposed methodology to a review of the Action Plan against Noise 2008–2012 in the
province of Almería, for the road network of the regional government of Andalusia, Spain.

Citation

Ruiz-Padillo, A., Torija Martinez, A., Ramos-Ridao, A., & Ruiz, D. (2014). A methodology for classification by priority for action: Selecting road stretches for network noise action plans. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 29, 66-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2014.04.002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: May 22, 2014
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Dec 3, 2019
• Journal: Transportation Research Part D
• Print ISSN: 1361-9209
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 29
• Pages: 66-78
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2014.04.002
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2014.04.002
• Related Public URLs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/transportation-research-part-d-transport-and-environment
• Additional Information: Funders : ‘‘Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad’’ of Spain;‘‘Dirección General de Infraestructuras de la Consejería de Fomento y Vivienda’’ of the ‘‘Junta de Andalucía’’ (Spain);University of Malaga and the European Commission, 7th Framework Program of R&D of the EU, granted within the People Program, Co-funding of regional, national and international programs (COFUND); Grant Number: TEC2012-38883- C02-02; Grant Number: Grant Agreement No. 246550