Road traffic noise assessment method for Hong Kong and associated GIS-based assessment tools

Hong Kong, known for its compact and complex urban environment, has long faced unique challenges in modeling road traffic noise for planning and assessment purposes. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) identified and established an enhanced prediction methodology called Road Traffic Noise Assessment Method - Hong Kong (RONOSS-HK). RONOSS-HK aims to provide better treatment on source geometry, source terms, noise propagation, considerations for new-energy vehicles and special noise reduction of the Innovative Noise Mitigation Designs (INMD) to cater for the complicated spatial noise situations in Hong Kong. To facilitate the implementation of RONOSS-HK, the EPD has also developed and introduced a GIS-based assessment tool which allows users to utilize GIS data readily available in HKSARG databases and other spatial information in the public domain for accurate road traffic noise prediction using RONOSS-HK methodology. Additionally, the EPD is in the process of further developing a web-based 3D software to serve as an alternative comprehensive assessment tool for applying RONOSS-HK in noise assessment. This paper introduces RONOSS-HK prediction methodology and the latest development of its associated GIS-based assessment tools.