The graph overlay method is used to evaluate the noise impact of route alignment and the results can serve as a reference for the route alignment optimal selection. The geographic information system(GIS), with its powerful function of handling attribute data and spatial analysis, is adopted to calculate the noise comprehensive impact area of each alignment. With the graph overlay method, the noise vulnerability and noise impact distribution are both taken into account in the noise impact assessment of route alignment. With GIS, the efficiency of work and the reliability of result are greatly improved. By a combination of them, the noise impact on environment is fully presented in a visual way and the assessment result has vital value in route alignment optimal selection. A detailed case study is illustrated and the efficiency of the method is verified.
