EN 1793-3:2025

Overview

EN 1793-3:2025 is a European standard developed by CEN that defines a normalized traffic noise spectrum for evaluating the acoustic performance of road traffic noise reducing devices. This standard is part 3 of a test method series aimed at assessing devices designed to reduce noise pollution near roads. The updated standard replaces the previous EN 1793-3:2017 version and reflects significant technical revisions including updated terminology and definitions.

The main purpose of EN 1793-3:2025 is to provide a consistent and standardized noise spectrum representing typical road traffic noise at the roadside. This enables uniform testing and comparison of noise reduction devices such as barriers, claddings, and covers under controlled conditions.

Key Topics

• Normalized Traffic Noise Spectrum: A characteristic, frequency-dependent noise profile expressed in terms of relative A-weighted sound pressure levels across one-third octave bands from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz. This spectrum is critical for accurately assessing noise reducing devices.

• Road Traffic Noise Reducing Devices (RTNRD): Devices designed to reduce sound propagation from road traffic, potentially composed of acoustic elements (for sound absorption or insulation) and structural elements (for stability).

• Device Types Covered:

  • Noise Barriers: Structures obstructing airborne sound transmission from traffic.
  • Claddings: Sound-absorbing coverings attached to existing structures to reduce reflections.
  • Covers: Overhead or spanning structures reducing noise emission.
  • Added Devices: Components influencing noise diffraction characteristics.

• Acoustic Performance Metrics: Measurement relies on the normalized traffic noise spectrum to evaluate intrinsic qualities such as sound absorption and airborne sound insulation.

• Frequency Range: The spectrum covers noise from 100 Hz through 5 kHz focusing on typical audible traffic noise frequencies.

Applications

EN 1793-3:2025 serves as a foundational reference for manufacturers, engineers, and acoustic consultants involved in the design, testing, and certification of traffic noise reduction products. Practical applications include:

• Product Development: Designing noise barriers, claddings, and other traffic noise reduction devices by ensuring performance against a standardized noise spectrum.

• Performance Testing: Laboratory and in-situ testing of acoustic characteristics under controlled, repeatable traffic noise conditions.

• Roadside Noise Control: Implementing effective noise mitigation strategies to improve environmental quality along highways, urban streets, and other traffic corridors.

• Regulatory Compliance: Supporting compliance with national and European noise regulation frameworks by providing reliable acoustic data.

• Urban Planning & Infrastructure Projects: Integrating noise reducing solutions with knowledge of normalized traffic noise characteristics to minimize community noise exposure.

Related Standards

The EN 1793 series offers comprehensive methods for evaluating road traffic noise reducing devices. EN 1793-3:2025 should be used in conjunction with the following related parts to obtain a full acoustic performance profile:

• EN 1793-1:2023 – Sound absorption under diffuse sound field conditions
• EN 1793-2:2023 – Airborne sound insulation under diffuse sound field conditions
• EN 1793-4:2023 – Intrinsic sound diffraction characteristics
• EN 1793-5:2023 – Sound absorption under direct sound field conditions
• EN 1793-6:2023 – Airborne sound insulation under direct sound field conditions

These complementary standards cover different aspects of the acoustic properties of noise reducing devices and together facilitate comprehensive testing procedures in accordance with the latest European requirements.

Keywords: normalized traffic noise spectrum, road traffic noise reducing devices, acoustic performance, noise barriers, sound absorption, airborne sound insulation, noise mitigation, EN 1793-3:2025, CEN standard, noise pollution control, road noise testing, environmental noise standards.