To clarify the characteristics of A-weighted sound pressure level on roadsides near signalized intersections, equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels (L_Aeq) measured at seven locations in Japan were analyzed. Major causes of the differences between the L_Aeq at steady-traffic locations and the L_Aeq near signalized intersections were clarified after converting all measured L_Aeq to the L_Aeq at a distance of 7 m from the center of the nearest lanes.

It is hypothesized that the L_Aeq near intersections increases due to the simple intersection of the linear noise sources on steady-traffic locations of the intersecting roads. The effects of acceleration and deceleration were also analyzed, revealing that noise decreased by 0.6 dB in the deceleration zone from about 100 m before the stop line of the intersection to the stop line, and increased by 0.2 dB in the acceleration zone from the stop line to 100 m beyond the stop line. Consideration of the impacts of acceleration and deceleration slightly improved the precision of the approximation of the measured values.