Measurement, Modeling and Mitigation of Arterial Traffic Noise in a Medium-Size Urban Area

Abstract

Traffic noise has only recently been recognized as a problem in urban areas in India. The pollution Control Boards (PCB) are now considering the noise from traffic as a constituent of urban traffic pollution. A search of the literature indicates that pilot studies of traffic noise have, so far been conducted in few metropolitan areas, and no attempt has been made to address this problem in medium-size cities. Indications are that noise from the traffic is as intense and wide-spread in medium-size cities as in a metropolitan area This research paper reports the findings of a study undertaken to investigate the characteristics of traffic noise in Warangal, a medium-size urban area in Andhrapradesh, India Thirteen representative arterial roadway and four intersection locations were monitored for traffic flow variables and noise pollution levels simultaneously during both peak and off-peak periods. Noise was measured at 1,3 and S-meter distances from the pavement edge. The mean Leg's ranged from a low of 72,3 (dBA), in off peak periods, to a high of 84.5 (dBA), during the peak periods. The interrelationship between traffic flow and the generated noise were also examined A multiple linear regression has rather successfully modeled traffic noise as a function of distance and flow variables. The paper also outlines the mitigation and abatement options for urban traffic noise.