Recommendations for noise reduction in town planning
1968 Edition

Overview of the Noise Reduction Guidelines

Purpose:

• Provides methods to measure and mitigate train noise, particularly in railway cuttings.
• Discusses sound attenuation and compares measured and theoretical noise levels.

Key Insights:

• Noise pressure diminishes with increasing distance from railway tracks and engines.
• Track geometry, such as deep cuttings, significantly influences noise reduction.
• Differentiates between objective noise meter readings and subjective human hearing perceptions.

Important Data (Clause 4.75):
Presents a table showing the relationship between distance and sound pressure levels for trains in deep cuttings, illustrating noise decrease.

Additional Notes

• Rounding procedures follow IS 2:1960 standards.
• Functional requirements are specified by the relevant Buildings Sectional Committee.

Visualization: Noise Attenuation in Railway Cuttings

graph LR
Train[Train Noise Source] --> NoCut[No Cutting - High Noise]
Train --> DeepCut[Deep Cut Track]
DeepCut --> MeasuredNoise[Measured Noise Reduction]
DeepCut --> PerceivedNoise[Perceived Noise Reduction]

Further References

• Full IS 4954:1968 document for detailed noise data and measurement methodologies.
• IS 2:1960 for rounding and significant figure conventions.

Scope of Noise Control Measures in Building Design

• Emphasizes noise reduction at source and structural design approaches.
• Details rounding off test and analysis results according to IS 2-1960.
• Addresses functional criteria established by building committees.

Common Noise Control Techniques (Appendix A):

• Incorporation of sound-absorbing materials.
• Construction of barriers and enclosures.
• Structural adjustments to limit noise transmission.

Rounding Examples

flowchart LR
    NoiseSource[Noise Source] --> NoiseControl[Noise Control Methods]
    NoiseControl --> StructuralDesign[Structural Modifications]
    NoiseControl --> MaterialChoice[Material Selection]
    NoiseControl --> Barriers[Barriers and Enclosures]
    StructuralDesign --> NoiseReduction[Reduced Noise Transmission]
    MaterialChoice --> NoiseReduction
    Barriers --> NoiseReduction

This section guides reducing noise via design and material selection to improve occupant comfort.

Typical Noise Sources and Levels in Urban Settings

Noise Levels from Common Sources (Clause 2.3, Table 1)

Noise Characteristics

• Can be periodic, continuous, or intermittent.
• Community noises include temple bells, sirens, loudspeakers, street vendors, and children at play.

Noise Mitigation Strategies

• Separation of noise sources from sensitive zones through layout planning.
• Use of barriers, vegetation, and building orientation to reduce noise.
• Controlling noise generation at source.

Visualization: Noise Source vs Distance & Intensity

graph LR
Jet[Jet Take-off (300m)] -->|100-110 dB| HighNoise[High Noise Zone]
Rail[Rail Traffic (30m)] -->|90-110 dB| HighNoise
HeavyRoad[Heavy Road Traffic] -->|80-90 dB| ModerateNoise[Moderate Noise]
MediumRoad[Medium Road Traffic] -->|70-80 dB| ModerateNoise
LightRoad[Light Road Traffic] -->|60-70 dB| LowNoise[Low Noise]
Industry[Industrial Noise] -->|60-95 dB| ModerateNoise

These noise data assist in planning noise control and zoning per the guidelines.

Noise Level Categories and Land Use Planning

Classification of Noise Zones (Clause 3.1.1)

Outdoor Noise Limits (Table 2)

Indoor Noise Limits (Table 2)

Typical Noise Sources (Table 1)

These classifications help in designing layouts that effectively segregate zones based on noise levels.

Key Recommendations for Noise Reduction in Urban Planning

• Zoning: Ensure separation of high-noise industrial and commercial zones from residential neighborhoods.
• Buffer Areas: Incorporate parks, green belts, or open spaces as noise buffers.
• Building Orientation: Arrange buildings so that noise-sensitive facades face away from noise sources.
• Road Design: Plan roadways to limit traffic noise exposure to residential zones.
• Land Use: Place noisy activities at a distance from sensitive institutions like schools and hospitals.

Indicative Noise Limits

Noise Reduction Equations

• Noise attenuation with distance:

[ L_2 = L_1 - 20 \log_{10} \left(\frac{r_2}{r_1}\right) ]

where (L_1) and (L_2) are noise levels at distances (r_1) and (r_2) respectively.

• Noise barrier insertion loss:

[ IL = 10 \log_{10} \left( \frac{A_1}{A_2} \right) ]

where (IL) is insertion loss, and (A_1), (A_2) are sound absorption areas before and after barrier.

Visualization: Noise Buffering in Urban Layout

graph LR
IndustrialZone[Industrial Area] --> Buffer[Green Belt Buffer Zone]
Buffer --> Residential[Residential Area]
Residential --> Sensitive[Schools and Hospitals]
IndustrialZone -. Noise Barrier .-> Residential

Effective use of zoning, buffers, and barriers significantly reduces noise impact.

Guidelines for Aerodrome Location and Air Route Planning

1. Aerodrome Location Criteria (Clause 4.1.1.1)

• New aerodromes should be sited at least 6 to 8 square kilometers away from urban boundaries.
• This prevents nearby residential development, ensures safe glide paths for jet aircraft, and enables future expansion.
• Noise from aerodromes can affect areas up to 16 kilometers away.
• Flight paths should avoid traversing densely populated urban centers.

2. Noise Level Thresholds (Clause 3.1 & Table 2)

3. Planning Recommendations

• Separate noisy facilities (aerodromes, industries, railways) from residential and noise-sensitive zones.
• Design flight routes to minimize noise over inhabited areas.

flowchart LR
    Aerodrome[New Aerodrome] --> BufferZone[6-8 km2 Buffer Area]
    BufferZone --> ResidentialAreas[Residential Zones Beyond Buffer]
    Aerodrome --> FlightRoutes[Flight Paths]
    FlightRoutes --> AvoidPopulated[Avoid Dense Towns]
    NoiseImpact[Noise Impact Zone] --> ResidentialAreas

These measures help reduce noise disturbance from aviation activities.

Location Criteria for Rail and Road Infrastructure

1. Placement Principles (Clause 4.1.2 & 3.2)

• Rail stations, yards, locomotive sheds, bus and truck terminals, and freight areas should be situated to minimize noise impact on nearby residential and quiet zones.
• Rail lines, highways, and arterial roads should be routed away from residential and commercial districts.
• Where connections to residential areas are essential, link roads and bypasses are preferred.
• Noise mitigation measures are necessary when rail lines are adjacent to residential areas.

2. Recommended Setback Distances (Clause 4.1.6)

• Minimum distance from rail tracks or highways to residential/commercial buildings on level ground is 50 to 75 meters.
• Larger setbacks should be considered near marshalling yards or areas with continuous shunting operations.
• Setbacks can be reduced if tracks or roads are located in cuttings or if noise barriers/buildings provide screening.

3. Noise Reduction via Track Design (Clause 4.75)

• Deep railway cuttings significantly reduce noise emissions.
• The degree of attenuation depends on cutting depth and geometry.

Summary Table: Minimum Setbacks

Noise Abatement Examples

• Earth berms
• Acoustic walls
• Vegetation buffers

flowchart LR
    RailFacilities[Railway Stations & Yards] --> AwayFromResidential[Positioned Away from Residences]
    RailFacilities --> NoiseControl[Apply Noise Mitigation Measures]
    RailLinesHighways[Rail Tracks & Highways] --> RoutedAway[Route Away from Residential/Commercial]
    RailLinesHighways --> Setback[Maintain 50-75m Setback]
    Setback --> IncreaseSetback[Increase if Near Shunting Yards]
    Setback --> DecreaseSetback[Reduce if in Cuttings or with Barriers]

Ensuring proper siting and noise control reduces disturbances from transport infrastructure.

Principles for Industrial Area Location

1. Location Guidelines (Clause 4.1.3 & 3.2)

• Heavy and loud industries (e.g., shipyards, locomotive workshops) should be located well away from residential neighborhoods.
• Industrial districts should be distinctly separated from residential and community areas to limit noise, odors, and smoke.
• Industrial zones can be placed near rail stations and major roads to facilitate logistics.

2. Noise Level Recommendations (Clause 3.1 & Table 2)

3. Indoor Noise Levels

4. Recommendations

• Separate noisy industries by buffer zones or intervening industrial land.
• Prioritize public health by limiting noise exposure near sensitive zones.
• Urban planning should balance economic and health considerations.

flowchart LR
    IndustrialZones --> NoisyIndustries[Heavy & Noisy Industries]
    NoisyIndustries -->|Distant from| ResidentialZones
    IndustrialZones --> Logistics[Near Rail and Major Roads]
    ResidentialZones --> CommunityAreas

This approach promotes effective noise zoning and urban harmony.

Controlling Industrial Noise in Existing Urban Areas

• Relocating noise-generating industries away from residential and commercial sectors is challenging in developed cities.
• Phased planning and implementation are advised to reduce noise impact progressively.
• Enforce local laws to prevent new noisy industries in sensitive zones.

Noise Level Guidelines

Note: These values depend on local regulations; the standard emphasizes planning and legislation over fixed limits.

Noise Reduction Measures

• Zoning to separate industrial and residential/commercial areas.
• Buffer zones such as green belts or open spaces.
• Acoustic enclosures and barriers around noisy equipment.
• Limiting operational hours for noisy activities.

flowchart LR
    ExistingCity[Current Urban Layout] --> NoiseAssessment[Identify Noise Issues]
    NoiseAssessment --> IndustrialShift[Plan Phased Industrial Relocation]
    IndustrialShift --> Regulation[Enforce Local Noise Regulations]
    Regulation --> Prevention[Restrict New Noise Sources in Sensitive Areas]

Focus is on urban planning and legal frameworks to manage industrial noise.

Key Principles for Residential Area Location

• Locate residential neighborhoods in quiet zones to minimize noise disturbance.
• Separate residential areas from noisy sources such as industries, railways, highways, and airports.
• Consider noise, odors, and other environmental factors in detailed planning.

Noise Level Guidelines (Clause 3.1 & Table 2)

Indoor Noise Limits

Summary

• Choose quiet zones with outdoor noise levels not exceeding 45 dB(A) for urban residential areas.
• Incorporate buffer zones or green belts adjacent to noisy areas.
• Account for noise impacts of community facilities.

flowchart LR
NoisySources[Noisy Zones] --> Buffer[Buffer Zones]
Buffer --> Residential[Residential Areas]
Residential --> Community[Community Facilities]
NoisySources --> Industry[Industrial Areas]
NoisySources --> Transport[Railways and Aerodromes]
Residential -.-> QuietZones

Ensures peaceful and healthy living environments.

Noise Control Measures for Areas Adjacent to Railways and Roads

1. Setback Recommendations (Clause 4.1.6)

• Maintain a minimum setback of 50 to 75 meters from rail tracks or major roads on level terrain.
• Increase setback distances near marshalling yards or zones with continuous shunting operations.
• Setbacks may be reduced if tracks or roads are located in cuttings or protected by noise barriers or buildings.

2. Layout Planning (Clause 4.1.2)

• Route railway lines, stations, yards, highways away from residential and commercial sectors.
• Utilize link roads and bypasses to reduce direct exposure.
• Apply noise abatement techniques such as barriers, vegetation, and strategic layout.

3. Noise Barriers (Clause A-2.4)

• Deep railway cuttings (approx. 3.5 m depth with sloped walls) effectively reduce noise.
• Barriers can achieve noise reduction of 10 to 15 dB(A), increasing with barrier height and distance.

4. Noise Attenuation with Distance

• Noise decreases by roughly 3 dB per doubling of distance for slow trains (~32 km/h).
• Faster freight trains (~65 km/h) experience about 6 dB reduction per doubling of distance.

5. Noise Levels for Train Types (Clause 2.1.1)

6. Noise Reduction Summary

These measures are essential for minimizing noise near transportation corridors.

Guidelines for Locating Noisy and Quiet Buildings

1. General Principles (Clause 4.1.7)

• Noisy buildings such as stock exchanges, restaurants, and commercial offices should be situated on main thoroughfares.
• Quiet buildings including hospitals, schools, and residences should be placed on side streets away from heavy traffic.
• Plan roadways and freight areas to minimize impact from heavy vehicles.

2. Noise Zoning (Clause 3.1.1)

3. Acceptable Noise Levels (Table 2)

4. Design Recommendations (Clause 4.1.11.2)

• Offset buildings from roads to reduce noise exposure.
• Locate quiet rooms on sides shielded from noise.
• Employ soundproofing such as double-glazed windows and artificial ventilation.
• Higher floors generally experience less noise than lower ones facing roads.

Visualization: Building Placement Strategy

graph LR
    NoisyBuildings[Noisy Buildings on Main Roads] --> SideStreets[Quiet Buildings on Side Streets]
    FreightPoints[Freight Areas] --> MinimizeNoise[Minimize Heavy Vehicle Noise]

Proper siting enhances acoustic comfort.

Guidelines for Building Setback Distances from Roads and Railways

Key Recommendations

• Maintain a minimum setback of 50 to 75 meters from main roads or railway lines on flat ground (Clause 4.1.6).
• Increase setback distances near marshalling yards or continuous shunting zones.
• Setbacks can be reduced if noise barriers or cuttings are present (Clause 4.1.8).
• Position buildings centrally within plots to minimize noise exposure from adjacent roads.

Permissible Noise Levels (Clause 3.1, Table 2)

Noise Reduction Principle

• Noise levels typically decrease by about 6 dB(A) with each doubling of distance.

Visualization: Setback Effect on Noise

graph LR
RoadNoise[Road or Railway Noise Source] --> SetbackDistance[Setback 50-75 m]
SetbackDistance --> BuildingPosition[Building Setback]
BuildingPosition --> ReducedNoise[Lower Noise Levels]
ReducedNoise --> EnhancedComfort[Improved Indoor and Outdoor Comfort]

Maintaining proper setbacks is crucial for noise mitigation and occupant comfort.

Guidelines for Locating Community Facilities

1. Location Principles (Clause 4.1.11)

• Community amenities should be situated close to residential areas for easy access.
• Facilities vary in noise sensitivity and generation:
  • Some require very quiet environments (e.g., hospitals, broadcasting studios).
  • Others produce noise intermittently (e.g., entertainment venues).
• Location decisions must balance noise control and accessibility.

2. Noise Limits (Clause 3.1 & Table 2)

3. Planning Considerations

• Separate noisy activities (industries, railways, aerodromes) from residential and community zones.
• Establish silent zones for residential and noise-sensitive community facilities.
• Account for smoke, odors, and other environmental factors in zoning.

Visualization: Community Facility Location Planning

graph LR
    ResidentialAreas --> CommunityFacilities[Community Amenities]
    CommunityFacilities --> QuietZones[Noise-Sensitive Zones]
    CommunityFacilities --> BufferZones[Noise-Producing Zones]
    NoisySources --> ResidentialAreas
    NoisySources --> CommunityFacilities

Proper siting ensures accessibility and acoustic comfort.