A Case Study of Road Traffic Noise Intrusion Simulation in an Italian Archaeological Site

Claudio Guarnaccia, Aurora Mascolo, Domenico Rossi

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of road traffic noise on the acoustic environment of a culturally significant archaeological site in Nocera Superiore, Italy. Using the open-source NoiseModelling tool, simulations were conducted to assess sound levels near key landmarks, including the Early Christian Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore and the urban archaeological park. Results show that current noise levels exceed regulatory thresholds for protected areas, despite partial compliance with limits for high-traffic zones. Two mitigation strategies—introducing one-way traffic and banning heavy vehicles—were simulated and shown to reduce noise by 3–4 dBA, though not sufficiently to meet Class I or II standards. The findings highlight the inadequacy of current acoustic zoning and underscore the need for integrated noise management strategies to preserve the soundscape and cultural value of archaeological sites embedded in urban contexts.

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IMEKO-Metroarchaeo-2025-079.pdf

DOI

10.21014/tc26-2025.079

IMEKO TC

TC26 - Metrology for Cultural Heritage

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