Sound Propagation in City Streets

A computer model for predicting the propagation of sound down city streets is described. The predictions of this model were compared with measurements on a scale model and agreement between the two sets of data were shown to be good for a range of street configurations. A statistical analysis was carried out of the street propagation characteristics and a systematic relationship observed between street width and the decrease in noise level with logarithmic distance from the source. It was observed that for the more realistic street configurations the regression coefficients were very similar and hence it was possible to devise a simple predictive model of street propagation characteristics.