Model of a benefit/cost ratio analysis for comparison of environmental noise ba...

• Author(s): António Pedro Oliveira de Carvalho ; Pedro Daniel Pinto Silva Oliveira
• Date: 2010
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10216/22170
• Origin: Repositório Aberto da Universidade do Porto
• Subject(s): Ciências Físicas; Física; Acústica
• Document Type: Conference Object
• Language: English

Description

The choice for an economically ideal solution of environmental noise barrier must acknowledge both the cost of its main components and the benefits it can provide, through time. An algorithm based on benefit/cost ratio (BCR) analysis was created to achieve a systematic analysis tool. It calculates the BCR for any potential noise barrier. The cost of a barrier can be described with known or quantifiable parameters such as barrier height, thickness, materials, initial investment costs, maintenance costs, replacement costs due to accidents, etc. The benefits associated with a solution are defined by computable parameters such as sound absorption, sound reduction, insertion loss, and even intangible parameters such as its visual impact and environmental impact. Each benefit is weighed regarding its importance. Using the necessary parameters it is possible to calculate the BCR of a barrier for any number of years of a life expectancy.