Integrated Multi-Criteria Optimization Of Road Traffic Noise

Abstract Road traffic noise is one of the most persistent environmental pollutants, with profound effects on human health, ecosystem stability, and landscape quality. This study presents an integrated, interdisciplinary framework for the multi-criteria optimization of road traffic noise mitigation along the R2 expressway section between Pravotice and Dolné Vestenice, Slovakia. The research combines predictive acoustic modeling and empirical field measurements to evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of noise barriers in real environmental and traffic conditions. Simulations were conducted for the reference years 2016, 2026, and 2036 using the Hluk+ 8.28 software, calibrated with field data collected during the 2004 measurement campaign. The modeling process incorporated variables such as topography, land use, surface type, vegetation, and traffic composition. The multi-criteria optimization framework evaluated four dimensions—acoustic efficiency, ecological sustainability, visual integration, and economic feasibility—to determine the most context-appropriate mitigation solution. Results identified aluminum noise barriers with absorptive infill panels (A4 class) as the optimal variant, achieving substantial reductions in noise levels while maintaining landscape coherence and minimizing ecological disruption. The findings highlight that integrating technical, aesthetic, and environmental parameters within a unified decision-support methodology enhances both the sustainability and social acceptance of transport infrastructure design.