PURPOSES : A study on the efforts to minimize the road traffic noise has been underway. An attempt has been made to measure the noise level using a noise map; however, the attempt is limited to certain areas only. In general, a noise barrier is employed to prevent road traffic noise; however, unplanned noise barriers developed without considering the surrounding environment, including excessively high walls, cause problems such as infringement on prospect right. Noise ceiling at daytime in Korea is 68 dB(A), which is relatively higher than in other countries. METHODS: The noise barrier used mainly for road noise reduction was analyzed to estimate the optimal height. Related variables such as road width, the height of the upper part, distance to the building, and angle (for instance, 30。). RESULTS : A formula to calculate the optical height of the noise barrier, considering the road environment (i.e., parameters such as road width and distance to building), was developed in this study in an attempt to mitigate the noise generated from the road. CONCLUSIONS : The formula to calculate the noise barrier is expected to lead to cost saving, accurate installation of barriers, and protection of the right of prospect.