Acoustic study in Petite-Synthe (A16)

• Context: noise pollution due to proximity to the A16 motorway
• Acoustic study objectives and regulatory framework
• Methodology: acoustic diagnosis and reduction scenarios
• Technical solutions tailored to local needs
• Conclusion: expert support to deal with noise black spots

Context: noise pollution due to proximity to the A16 motorway

As part of its policy to combat noise pollution, the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque (CUD) has commissioned an acoustics consultancy to assess the situation precisely and propose solutions to reduce it. The intervention is part of the national scheme to reduce noise black spots (PNB).

Acoustic study objectives and regulatory framework

The aim of the acoustic study was to identify and qualify the dwellings affected by exceeding the regulatory thresholds defining a GNP, i.e.:
– 70 dB(A) at the facade during the day;
– 65 dB(A) during the night.
These criteria apply to residential buildings constructed prior to the creation or widening of the noisy infrastructure concerned. The aim is twofold: to guarantee compliance with the requirements of the CUD’s Plan de Prévention du Bruit dans l’Environnement (PPBE) (Environmental Noise Prevention Plan), and to ensure a better quality of life for local residents.

Methodology: acoustic diagnosis and reduction scenarios

The acoustics office carried out an in situ measurement campaign to precisely characterize the noise environment of the housing estate. Measurements were taken at different times of day, in front of the most exposed homes, and cross-referenced with road traffic data to obtain a reliable and representative diagnosis.
Based on this data, acoustic modeling was used to simulate noise propagation in the neighborhood, taking into account topography, building configuration and road characteristics. This diagnosis revealed a number of dwellings exceeding regulatory thresholds, justifying their classification as noise black spots.
Several noise abatement scenarios were then studied, integrating technical constraints and acoustic performance objectives.

Technical solutions tailored to local needs

The study identified the most effective solutions for reducing residents’ exposure:
– Installation of acoustic screens between the main roads and the housing estate;
– Creation of landscaped merlons to attenuate noise propagation;
– Redesign of roadways to limit speed or divert noisy traffic;
– Implementation of passive facade protection (high-performance glazing, adapted ventilation).
These recommendations are part of a logic of intervention at source, in line with the principles of acoustic regulations and the CUD’s PPBE. They aim to reduce noise levels to below regulatory thresholds, while taking into account specific local urban conditions.

Conclusion: expert support to deal with noise black spots

The acoustic study carried out in Petite-Synthe illustrates the ability of an acoustic engineering firm to support local authorities in reducing noise pollution in urban areas. By combining acoustic field diagnosis, precise modeling and technical solutions, SIM Engineering contributes to the implementation of concrete and effective actions against noise black spots.
This approach reinforces the CUD’s environmental policy, by promoting public health and the quality of life of local residents exposed to significant road nuisance.

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