The influence of vegetation and shape-related features in making parks more noise resistant.

The aim of this paper is to assess the effect of vegetation-related parameters and shape-related features of parks on noise levels in their interior. For the current research, eight case study parks were identified in Antwerp and noise levels were measured inside and around them. The measurements were conducted during multiple days using portable custom-made sound recording devices. The analysis was performed by correlating the input with the output parameters. Input data include green space metrics, landscape indices and traffic data from the adjacent roads. Output parameters consist of various noise indices (L10, L50, L90, LAeq, LCeq-LAeq) calculated for the entire parks as well as for multiple buffer zones inside them. Possible correlations are expected to be identified so as to conclude whether shape-related features are important in noise reduction and whether noise levels in the parks relate to the traffic conditions in the adjacent roads.