3D City Models as a Tool for Noise Control

Noise control as an ongoing task

Urban noise is generated every day – by traffic, urban densification and increasing mobility. For Uster, the task was to assess the noise levels along municipal roads and to demonstrate the effect of noise reduction measures. The aim: to create a comprehensible, data-based foundation for authorities, planners and the public.

SwissBUILDINGS3D 3.0 as a foundation

The project is based on the highly precise SwissBUILDINGS3D dataset from swisstopo. This dataset also forms the basis of Uster’s 3D city model, enabling an accurate spatial representation of buildings, roof shapes and façades. This geometry provides the foundation for realistically simulating sound propagation in urban areas.

Noise calculation with SLIP25

In the SLIP25 noise calculation software, receiver points were automatically placed every 5 metres on all façades of the SwissBUILDINGS3D buildings – around 50,000 points in total. Using sonROAD18 and the current propagation standard ISO 9613-2:2024, road traffic noise was calculated, taking into account topography with a resolution of 0.5 metres. The result: a high-resolution acoustic image of the city.

Linking data creates added value

To make the results useful not only from a technical but also from a planning perspective, building data from the Federal Register of Buildings and Dwellings (RBD) were integrated. This made it possible to clearly assign usage types – residential or commercial – to individual objects. Based on this information, noise exposure was assessed according to current sensitivity levels and legal limits. This provides a reliable basis for construction and renovation decisions.

Planning for a quieter future

What impact does a 30 km/h speed limit have in residential areas? Or the use of a low-noise road surface?
With the calculated noise scenarios, such questions can be answered directly. Municipalities can compare different variants and identify where source-level measures achieve the greatest effect.

Summary

3D city models are highly versatile and can be enhanced with layers showing noise exposure and different mitigation scenarios. This makes noise control both measurable and visible.
G+P supports municipalities in developing acoustic datasets for 3D visualisation – with customised traffic forecasts and noise reduction scenarios.

Interested in a 3D visualisation of your noise project?

Our environmental noise experts will be happy to advise you.

Geoportal of Uster: https://3d.geoportal.ch/uster/#/