Upgrading the Pacific Highway can have noise impacts both during the construction and operational stages of projects. Roads and Maritime Services recognise noise impacts need to be fully considered and have developed processes and guidelines to ensure NSW EPA noise policy criteria are met.

NSW Road Noise Policy

Diggers at work near Woodburn

Construction noise

Noise and vibration management plans are used to minimise impacts to community and residents.

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NSW Road Noise Policy Image

Operational noise

We have detailed procedures for how traffic noise impacts are assessed and how mitigation measures are developed.

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FAQs

How is road traffic noise managed on the Pacific Highway?

The Conditions of Approval require operational noise levels be established in accordance with the NSW Government’s Road Noise Policy 

What are the noise goals for the project?

Noise models are developed for the project based on the Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CORTN) model.

It is a mathematical model that has been specifically validated under Australian conditions and is accepted as the industry standard by the NSW Government.

This modelling considers traffic volumes, highway route, surrounding landscape (topography), traffic speed, percentage of heavy vehicles, road surface, the distance and height of surrounding buildings and weather.

The solutions to reduce road traffic noise were identified and developed during the design phase of the project in accordance with the Environmental Noise Management Manual (ENMM) (RTA 2001), the RNP and the projects Conditions of Approval.

How do we know the noise goals have been met?

In accordance with the project’s Conditions of Approval, Roads and Maritime is required to carry out operational noise monitoring within 12 months of the project fully opening to traffic. 

This monitoring and associated report will determine if the road traffic noise modelling carried out during the detailed design phase of the project was accurate and acceptable to predict road traffic noise.

It is completed in accordance with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and industry guidelines and will undergo independent review by the EPA and the DPE prior to publication.

This report will show the results of the monitoring of the operational road traffic noise and compare it to the predicted noise model from the detailed design.