Skip to content

Road Tab

Information on the calculation options for the following standards or guidelines for industry can be found in the German version of the CadnaA reference manual:

  • RLS-19 (Germany)
  • RVS 4.02 (Austria)
  • StL-86 (Switzerland)
  • DIN 18005 (1987, Germany)
  • SonROAD18 (Switzerland)

Table „Propagation Models Road“

The subsequent table lists the main characteristics of the propagation models for road noise as treated in the chapters explaining the configuration options. A special focus is put to the type of modeling being used for the various attenuating effects in sound propagation.

No Option or Propagation Effect Standard / Guideline
RLS-90 (1990) Nordic (1996) NMPB (1996) CRTN TNM Czech Method SonRoad NMPB (2008) CNOSSOS-EU SonROAD18
1 calculation using A-weighted levels yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
2 spectral calculation no no yes (octaves, 125 to 4000 Hz) no yes(1/3 octaves) no yes (1/3 octaves) yes (1/3 octaves, 100 to 5000 Hz) yes (for octaves 63 Hz to 8000 Hz) yes (for octaves 63 Hz to 8000 Hz)
3 geometrical attenuation (divergence) line source propagation (includes air absorption) LAeq/LAFmax: line/point source propagation point source propagation (4π r2) in CadnaA: segmented line source point source propagation (4π r2) point source propagation (4π r2) point source propagation (4π r2) point source propagation (4π r2) point source propagation (4π r2) point source propagation (acc. to ISO 9613-2)
4 attenuation by air absorption considered within the geometrical attenuation not considered yes (for 15°C and 70% r.h.) not considered acc. ISO 9613-1 (e.g. 20°C, 50%) combined with ground att. acc. ISO 9613-1 (for 15°C, 70%) acc. ISO 9613-1 (for 15°C, 70%) yes (acc. to ISO 9613-1) yes (acc. to ISO 9613-1)
5 handling of ground reflections considering ground attenuation and meteo effects in common (see below) concept of reflection planes algorithmic, not by image sources algorithmic, not by image sources complex ground impedance algorithmic, not by image sources complex ground impedance algorithmic, not by image sources algorithmic incl. ground absorp. close to source reflections included in emission, else ISO 9613-2 (1996)
6 handling of reflections
at obstacles
up to 1st order, higher orders by a „Correction for multiple Reflections“, optionally: calculation to up the 20th order (condition from obstacle’s size and absorpt. coefficient/reflection loss of the reflector) see RLS-90 no mult. reflect. correction by default, optional in CadnaA not using image sources (optional in CadnaA) in CadnaA: via absorption coeff./reflect. loss of reflector see RLS-90 using complex reflection factor & phase relation no mult. reflect. correction by default, optional in CadnaA yes up the 20th order (using reflection condition), optionally: „Correction for multiple Reflections“ acc. to RLS-90
7 attenuation due to ground effect (ground attenuation) for A-weighted levels (not applying ground factor G) soft or hard ground only(combined with screening) spectral model (for favorable: ISO 9613-2, for homogeneous specific) empirical correction via transfer table from airflow resistivity σ to ground factor G combined ground and meteorological correction via transfer table from airflow resistivity σ to ground factor G spectral model (for favorable: ISO 9613-2, for homogeneous specific homogeneous & favorable conditions using ground factor G spectral model ground att. model (using ground factor G) acc. to ISO 9613-2 (1996)
8 attenuation due to screening
(at objects)
single + double diffraction based on the path length difference, just for A-weighted levels, negative path difference causes no screening, NOTE - „acoustical transparency“ of buildings not available concept of effective height based on path length difference based on path length difference diffraction model using Fresnel-zones & complex ground impedance see RLS-90 using path length difference (ISO 9613-2 (1996)), ground refl. based on Fresnel-zones based on path length difference single & double diffr., includes ground effect, using image source method acc. to ISO 9613-2 (1996)
9 handling of lateral diffraction not considered, in CadnaA optionally available not considered not considered not considered not considered see RLS-90 not considered not expressively considered not considered (for the time being) acc. to ISO 9613-2 (1996)
10 handling of multiple obstacles in ray path based on the path length difference of the direct path across all obstacles („ribbon band method“) using the most efficient screen see RLS-90 inverse energetic sum of individual barrier corrections via path length difference see RLS-90 via path length difference via path length difference via path length difference (convex hull) acc. to ISO 9613-2, with more than one obstacle „ribbon band method“
11 attenuation due to screening
(terrain)
screening by terrain not treated explicitly,
In CadnaA the algorithm for multiple screening objects is applied.
as with multiple screens see RLS-90 as with multiple screens (no lateral diffraction) as with multiple screens see RLS-90 as with multiple screens as with multiple screens see ISO 9613-2 as with multiple screens (no lateral diffraction)
12 handling of
meteorological effects (wind)
is part of the ground attenuation (meteo. correction), optional: with Cmet accord. to ISO 9613-2, calculations acc. to VBUS applies Cmet with C0,D/E/N=2/1/0 dB not available for homogeneous & favorable prop. cond., energetic addition not available not available not available, optional in CadnaA: using Cmet for homogeneous & favorable prop. cond. (see NMPB) for homogeneous & favorable prop. cond., energetic addition for homogeneous & favorable prop. cond., energetic addition see CNOSSOS-EU
13 attenuation due to foliage not considered, in CadnaA optionally accord. to VDI 2714 not available not available not available in CadnaA not available not available available not available not available if propagation according to ISO 9613-2 (1996), then acc. to annex. A
14 attenuation due to built-up areas not considered, in CadnaA optionally accord. to VDI 2714 not available not available not available in CadnaA not available not available not available not available not available not available

Table „Obstacles and Special-Objects“

A further table describes the properties of obstacles and special-objects in CadnaA with each propagation model.

No Object Type/ Option Standard / Guideline
RLS-90 Nordic (1996) NMPB (1996) CRTN TNM Czech Method SonRoad NMPB (2008) CNOSSOS-EU SonROAD18
1 building single + multiple diffraction based on the shortest path difference, no lateral diffraction by default, no reflection or by input of absorption coefficient/reflection loss, no acoustical transparency see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 numerical diffraction model see RLS-90 numerical diffraction model see RLS-90 see RLS-90, but for homogeneous & favorable conditions see CNOSSOS-EU
2 cylinder single + multiple diffraction based on the shortest path difference, no lateral diffraction by default, no reflection or by input of absorption coefficient/reflection loss, reflection up to 1st order see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see above see RLS-90 see above see RLS-90 for homogeneous & favorable conditions see CNOSSOS-EU
3 barrier single + multiple diffraction for edges based on the shortest path difference, no lateral diffraction by default, no reflection or by input of absorption coefficient/reflection loss see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see above see RLS-90 see above see RLS-90 see RLS-90, but for homog. & favorable cond. see CNOSSOS-EU
4 floating barrier no diffraction around the lower edge, otherwise see barrier see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 not available see RLS-90 not available see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90
5 barrier with cantilever cantilever is totally absorbing (no reflection), calculation of the path length difference valid for receivers/grid points outside and below the cantilever, otherwise see barrier not available (due to „effective height“ concept) not available not available not available not available not available not available see RLS-90 acc. to ISO 9613-2
6 bridge plate diffraction calculation for horizontal plate only, screening calculation for diffraction downwards, no reflection-induced level increase below the bridge plate (as ground is not modeled by mirror sources) see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 available see RLS-90 available see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90
7 embankment acts as a double barrier, diffraction for direct path (without lateral diffraction), no absorptive/reflective properties, NOTE - The embankment is not considered in the triangulation! see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 available see RLS-90 available see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90
8 ground absorption area not relevant (generalized ground attenuation) in CadnaA: using ground factor G (soft/hard only) using ground factor G (for favorable and homogeneous) empirical ground correction (chart) from ground factor G transferred to airflow resistivity σ not relevant from ground factor G transferred to airflow resistivity σ using ground factor G (for favorable and homogeneous) yes, using ground factor G (for favorable and homogeneous) see CNOSSOS-EU
9 built-up area/foliage not relevant by default, optionally accord. to VDI 2714 not available not available not available not available in CadnaA (for the time being) not available not available in CadnaA (for the time being) not available no effect no effect
10 3D-reflector screening by shortest path length difference + 2 lateral paths, diffraction can be suppressed for up to 32 edges, reflection up to 1st order, no summation of diffraction effects via multiple edges, no multiple diffraction not available (due to „effective height“ concept) see RLS-90 see RLS-90 not available (not compatible with TNM diffraction model) see RLS-90 not available see RLS-90 see RLS-90 no effect
11 self screening additional feature in CadnaA: causes screening effect downwards, additional with left/right available (fixed to the road, screening just for the own road source) see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 not available (not covered by TNM diffract. model) see RLS-90 available see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90
12 additional width/parapet L/R parapet left/right available, parapet length can be restricted using station marks, additional width just for ground absorption with no effect with RSL-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90 available (used to apply correct road width) see RLS-90 available see RLS-90 see RLS-90 see RLS-90