Meteorological Effects on Highway Noise Levels with and without a Barrier

This paper describes the influence of meteorological conditions including temperature and wind on receptors located both adjacent to and at distances exceeding 300 feet (98.4 m) from the highway through the results of measurements for two noise studies located in California and Arizona. Of the described studies, both sites are at-grade with respect to the adjacent highway and one is located behind a sound wall. Based on preliminary comparison between the two cases, air temperature effects may be primarily dependent on distance from the roadway. Wind effects on traffic noise levels show dependence on the presence of a barrier. Results of this analysis are compared to literature.