Noise Generated during the Passage through the Bridge Expansion Joints In Cracow - Case Study

In the process of assessment of annoyance of traffic or road noise, phenomena which may cause increased annoyance, eg. impulsive noise are often neglected. In the cities located upon rivers, noise with strong impulsive character is generated during passage through the bridge expansion joints, the special slots in the structures dedicated to reduce excessive deformation caused by temperature changes. Such noise can be hearable far away from the bridge, and thus affect large area in the urban soundscape. The paper deals with problem of assessment of impulsive noise generated during the passages of vehicles over the expansion joints measured at several bridges in Cracow. Results of experimental studies, values of measurable parameters useful in the identification and evaluation of annoyance was presented, together with an attempt of its impact on the environment.