scholarly journals A Piecewise-Defined Function for Modelling Traffic Noise on Urban Roads

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Mariano Gallo

In this paper, a piecewise-defined function is proposed to estimate traffic noise in urban areas. The proposed approach allows the use of the model even in the case of very low or zero flows for which the classical logarithmic form is not suitable. A model based on the proposed approach is calibrated for a real case and compared with the results obtained with a model based only on the logarithmic form. The results obtained show how the proposed piecewise-defined function, linear for low traffic flows and logarithmic for medium-high volumes, is able to better represent real noise pollution levels in all conditions. The proposed approach is particularly useful when comparing two plan scenarios from the point of view of noise effects.

Noise Mapping ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Arana ◽  
Ricardo San Martin ◽  
Juan C. Salinas

AbstractTwo of the main objectives of the European Directive on environmental noise are, firstly, to unify acoustic indices for assessing environmental noise and, secondly, to standardize assessment methodologies. The ultimate goal is to objectively and comparably manage the impact and evolution of environmental noise caused both by urban agglomerations and by traffic infrastructures (roads, rails and airports). The use of common indices and methodologies (together with five-year plan assessment required by the authorities in charge) should show how noise pollution levels are evolving plus the effectiveness of corrective measures implemented in the action plans. In this paper, available results fromnumerous European agglomerations (with particular emphasis on Spanish agglomerations) are compared and analysed. The impact and its evolution are based on the percentage of people exposed to noise. More specifically, it demonstrates the impact caused by road traffic, which proves to be the main noise source in all agglomerations. In many cases, the results are extremely remarkable. In some case, the results are illogical. For such cases, it can be concluded that either assessment methodologies have been signifi- cantly amended or the input variables to the calculation programs have been remarkably changed. The uncertainty associated with the results is such that, in our opinion, no conclusions can be drawn concerning the effectiveness of remedial measures designed within the action plans after the Directive’s first implementation Phase.


Author(s):  
Ehsan Janati ◽  
Mohammad Ali Morowati Sharifabad ◽  
Reza Jafari Noudushan ◽  
Mohamad Javad Zare Sakhvidi ◽  
Sara Jambarsang

Introduction: The body's response to noise pollution is very similar to the way the body responds to stress, which can lead to poor health over time. In this regard, this study was conducted to determine the general health of the elderly and its relationship with traffic noise pollution in Ardakan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 1399. Participants were 200 elderly people in Ardakan and were included in the study by random sampling. Data were collected through sound measurement with SVANTEK device, General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28). After completing the questionnaires and measurements, the collected data were entered into SPSS-19 software and descriptive statistics as well as analytical statistics including: Chi-square, regression and analysis of variance were used to analyze it. Results: The overall average sound level equivalent in decibels at all measuring stations was within the standard range. There was a significant relationship between noise annoyance and the dimensions of "anxiety symptoms and sleep disorders" and "depressive symptoms" of general health (p <0.001). Conclusion: People with more voice annoyance have more anxiety, sleep disorders and depression. Existence of noise pollution levels in the allowable or standard level can lead to the observation of no significant relationship between traffic noise pollution levels and general health. Reducing anxiety, depression and sleep disorders in the elderly is possible with interventions to reduce voice irritation in them.  


2003 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 2439-2439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Rivas ◽  
Ricardo Hernandez ◽  
Jose Luis Cueto

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Alsina-Pagès ◽  
Robert Garcia Almazán ◽  
Marc Vilella ◽  
Marc Pons

Noise pollution is a critical factor and it has an important impact on public health, with the relationship between road traffic noise (RTN) and several illnesses in urban areas of particular concern. Andorra is currently developing a national strategy regarding noise pollution in their urban environments. The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability is trying to to identify, monitor, map and model the effects of noise pollution and design mitigation policies to reduce the impact in certain priority areas. This analysis should take into account the existence of different types of anomalous noise events (ANEs) present in the street, e.g., horns, people talking, music, and other events that coexist with RTN, to characterize the soundscape of each of the locations. This paper presents a preliminary analysis considering both the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and the duration of the ANEs to evaluate their presence in urban areas in the three different locations in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. The experiments conducted required a 10-h recording campaign distributed in the three locations under study, which was evaluated on two different days, one during the week and the other on the weekend. Afterwards, the data were carefully labeled and the SNR of each event was evaluated to determine the potential impact of the four categories under study: vehicles, works, city life and people.


Noise Mapping ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Alves ◽  
Joachim Scheuren ◽  
Beate Altreuther

AbstractNoise pollution is one of the major environmental problems affecting European citizens in urban areas. Although the Environmental Noise Directive is in force since 2002, there is still a gap between defined objectives and outcomes. The EU Seventh Environment Action Programme attempts to achieve the reduction of noise pollution by means of more effective European noise policies. This must be coupled with providing assistance to local administrations on dealing with existing noise problems, for example through Urban Sound Planners. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a systematic review of European projects addressing urban sound planning topics and furthermore an overview of the most relevant research results that can be applied by practitioners. In order to understand the European funding strategy, the most valued research topics (number of projects and funding support) are assessed. A key finding of this review is the disagreement between air traffic noise research funding and its importance on overall noise exposure. Another finding is that the scientific knowledge for urban sound planning exists but it requires adequately dissemination of results, among the policy makers and local authorities, who are usually responsible for policy implementation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  

This study offers a combined analysis of personal exposure to noise and air pollution within the metropolitan centre of Thessaloniki, Greece. The area is selected on the grounds that it is considered as one of the most polluted cities in Europe, especially with respect to air pollution. An extensive survey has been designed to provide detailed information on CO and VOC concentrations and noise pollution levels in the main modes of transport and along heavy traffic routes inside the core of the urban area under consideration. Air pollution and noise measurements were performed simultaneously along several commuting routes, during morning and evening rush hours. Personal portable devices were used. The results highlight the magnitude of air and noise urban scale personal exposure, since they depict a considerable environmental burden for the citizens of Thessaloniki, especially for VOCs and noise pollution levels. Furthermore, they provide, for the first time, a combined exposure assessment to these environmental pollutants for Thessaloniki and in this sense they are of importance for local public authorities and decision makers. The material herein points out the importance of micro-environmental monitoring and the necessity of considering environmental pollution in urban areas in a more holistic way.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-151
Author(s):  
Shno Mustafa Ali ◽  
Ako Rashed Hama ◽  
Younis Mustafa Ali

This study is an approach to assign the land area of  Kirkuk city [ a city located in the northern of Iraq, 236 kilometers north of  Baghdad  and 83 kilometers  south of  Erbil [ Climatic atlas of  Iraq, 1941-1970  ]  into different  multi zones by using Satellite image and Arc Map10.3,  zones of different traffic noise pollutions. Land zonings process like what achieved in this paper will help and of it’s of a high interest point for the future of Kirkuk city especially urban planning and economic issues of the city. Also, it may be considered as a reference in solving the traffic jam problems in the city. Transportations and sounds of horn of vehicles are the major sources of traffic noise pollutions .Vehicular traffic noise problems are contributed by various types of vehicles such as heavy and medium trucks or buses or automobiles. During this study, six major regions within the city were selected (Governorate region, Baghdad road, Al Wasti, Al Askary, Al Nasir and North garage). A survey for all those six regions were taken place  and noise measurements  were captured at points  or  near to the  intersections  for a duration of three different periods days per a week  [  Sunday 3rd , Monday 4th , and  Tuesday 5th] of January 2016. The results showed  a  high level of noise pollution and super passing on many occasions to the prescribed levels by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) , maximum level noise pollution  value was 94.6 dB(A) in AlWasti region near to the road that leading to Kirkuk university , while minimum level noise pollution  value was 48 dB(A) in AlNasir region. As a result, a noise map zoning was prepared for Kirkuk City for top peak working three days. The prepared noise distribution map will help and could be used as a considerable point for the future during designing projects related to transportations. Also in another hand, the map reflected indirectly the amount of regional air pollutions. High distributed noise pollution zones means a zone of a high air pollutions levels specially Cox and Nox gaseous pollutions.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (24) ◽  
pp. 183-192
Author(s):  
Anatolii Morozov ◽  
◽  
Nataliia Mironova ◽  
Tetiana Morozova ◽  
Victor Rybak ◽  
...  

Introduction. Urbanization, intensification of road transport, development of urban infrastructure contributes to increased noise pollution. As traffic flows increase, so do acoustic discomfort zones, and the problem of traffic noise is becoming increasingly environmentally and socially important. Problem statement. The traffic flow significantly exacerbates the environmental problems of cities. One of the most negative factors is the increasing acoustic load. Noise pollution is currently becoming one of the most important environmental stressors. Noise levels depend on the intensity, speed, nature of traffic, type and quality of coverage, land use planning (longitudinal and transverse street profiles, building architecture, traffic lights) and the presence of greenery. Noise leads to an imbalance of auditory adaptation, regulatory processes of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, hemodynamic disorders, the development of noise sickness. At long influence mechanisms of reflex and neurohumoral reactions are broken, there is a nervous pathology, attention decreases by 12-16%. Physiological and biochemical adaptation of a person to noise is impossible, in addition, noise has an inherent consuming effect. Acoustic load has a negative impact on flora and fauna. The main ones are reduced adaptive and reproductive capacity, changes in trophic nets, increased risk of predation, growth retardation, accelerated transpiration, death of leaves and flowers. This problem is most acute for urban ecosystems, as urbanization is one of the main factors in reducing biodiversity due to the loss of natural habitats, their fragmentation or drastic change. In urban conditions, many anthropogenic (industrial, transport noise) is added to the natural noise, which significantly changes the acoustic background. Currently, the noise load in megacities has increased by 12-15 dB, and the volume by three to four times. In cities with heavy traffic, the noise level is approaching 80 dB. Cartographic methods are widely used to visualize and predict noise load. Mapping the noise load of cities is relevant for Ukraine. Currently, acoustic maps have been developed only for certain districts of Kyiv. The creation of acoustic maps will help improve the ecological condition of urban areas. Purpose. Investigate and assess the level of noise load created by traffic flows on the main highways of the city of Khmelnytsky, create an acoustic map and determine the main directions of noise pollution. Research methods. general scientific (generalization, comparison, analysis and synthesis, theoretical and methodological substantiation); mathematical statistics; field (full-scale measurements of noise on the territory); cartographic (construction of a map-scheme) Results. The article highlights the problem of urban ecosystem acoustic load. It is evaluated the noise pollution of Khmelnytskyi city in Ukraine. The noise contamination model is constructed using GIS technologies within modern software package. It is shown that simulation and visualization of noise load using software makes it possible to objectively and detail estimate the acoustic situation and to propose managerial decisions development to protect the population from noise. Conclusion. The intensity of traffic noise depends on the condition and width of roads, the distance of residential buildings from the axis of the roadway. Depending on the capacity of roads, the presence of intersections changes the acoustic load. Reduction of urban traffic noise is associated with absorbing, reflecting, shielding and insulating acoustic ability. Optimization of noise protection of the urban ecosystem depends on a set of architectural and planning solutions. When introducing technical and economic characteristics of noise protection measures, it is necessary to take into account their features (practical limitations and opportunities).


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-296
Author(s):  
Valentin Petrescu ◽  
Rodica Ciudin ◽  
Claudiu Isarie ◽  
Lucian Ionel Cioca ◽  
Victor Nederita

AbstractNoise reduction for urban areas, especially noise generated by traffic is one of the major problems in today’s European cities. This paper is focused on more aspects that are addressing to traffic noise, like pavement, driver’s behavior, frequency of stops, pick hours, traffic agglomerations, etc. Research leading to this paper was conducted within the project “Adaptation to the Climate Change” developed in partnership with Environmental protection Agency Sibiu, focusing for this case study on traffic related pollution in a historical city center of Sibiu. Were considered three types of pavements (cobblestones, streets covered with dense asphalt, and graded asphalt road surfaces), three types of vehicles (small passenger car, family car and SUV), and testing’s were done using 3M Quest SoundPro Sonometer. Higher noise levels were registered for cobblestone and dense asphalt surfaces. Acoustic measurements and maps emphasizing studied are presented, and the identified parameters considered to be related to the traffic noise are given.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1145 ◽  
pp. 140-145
Author(s):  
Petr Kozak ◽  
Radka Matuszkova ◽  
Michal Radimsky

The noise pollution is an important factor for people living near roads. The road traffic noise is endangering the health of these residents and the quality of their lives. The tyre / road noise became the most significant source of the road traffic noise due reduced noise emissions from the vehicle propulsion system by the automotive industry. An important recent trend is increasing the traffic safety by improving anti-skid properties of roads in critical locations. Experts have concluded that some anti-skid modifications may increase the noise pollution. Because the usage of such pavements is predominantly in urban areas, problems may occur. This paper deals with the noise level of the safety anti-skid modification of the road surface used in the urban areas. Based on the presented measurement values it can be said that the RocbindaTM safety anti-skid modification does not achieve any increased acoustic performance compared to the asphalt pavement.


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