REDUCING UNWANTED NOISE
The best place to control noise is close to the source. Enclosing a noise source is an effective method and commonly used in commercial and industrial applications but impractical when addressing traffic noise issues. When the noise source has been minimized or isolated the next step is to interrupt the direct noise path by introducing a sound barrier. The next objective is to remove reflected sound energy as soon as possible. The most practical method is to replace reflective surfaces with absorptive surfaces.
Sound-absorptive walls installed between the noise source and the receivers are effective in reducing reflective noise. The height, location and orientation of the sound wall play a significant role in the wall's effectiveness. Sound walls are most effective when built close to the source or close to the receiver. The height of the wall should interrupt line-of-sight between the source and the receiver.
If reflections can be subdued quickly, they cannot develop into reverberations. Reverberations become new sources and add to the original noise source. Minimizing reflections means noise is localized to the extent whereby only direct sound, line-of-sight sound, will be heard.
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