Is it possible to increase the height of an existing berm in order to decrease traffic noise?

Question

The home owners association where I live removed all the thick brush growing along the highway at the berm. Since that removal we have noticed more noise from passing motorists as well as seeing the vehicles pass by. We are wondering if we raise the berm and add more vegetation if that will help with the noise.

Answer 1

ever green trees like ceders, seem to work very well
installing a 6 foot tall fence is effective
raising the berm is effective but very expensive

Answer 2

A drum makes a loud sound by transfering the energy of the drumstick into a vibration of air waves that enters your ear. Materials that resist vibration (strong, stiff, dense things like concrete) work most effectively. Have you ever seen a tall concrete or masonry wall along the a freeway in a suburb or big city? Expensive, but effective! The earth, the dirt that your berm is constructed out of is the real workhorse-- ask your neighborhood association to increase the height of the berm. The vegetation is also good because it deflects and breaks up the sound waves, but it is really a secondary part of a good solution.

Answer 3

You better check with the association before going to the expense but that is a great idea. Leyland Cypress make an excellent tall hedge and grow very quickly. They get up to 8 feet tall and planted close together will block the view and the noise. I used them on the back of my property to block the noise from a train.

Answer 4

Yes a dense foliage will work best. another thing you could do is to change the windows that face the street by either adding storm windows or installing double or triple pane glass windows on the side facing the traffic.
If you do nothing over time the noise will go away on it's own, something like our olfactory sense.