Traffic noise mapping of the city of Santiago de Chile

A noise map is a cartographic representation of the noise level distribution in a determined area and period of time. This article presents the most important aspects of the noise mapping project across Santiago, a city of nearly six million inhabitants. The study was performed employing limited information and a low-cost, vehicular traffic noise predictive model. The methodology applied to the Chilean experience can also be used to create noise maps for major cities. An evaluation of noise prediction models, considering simplifications of the modeling environment (buildings) and for the vehicular traffic flow rates attributed to the streets under study, was made. The noise levels were modeled according to recommended exposure values for the above area. The results revealed that the noise levels for the city of Santiago were high in a relevant percentage of the surface.