An Ambient Noise Analysis Predictive Model for Bengaluru Metropolis Using Noise Descriptors

Abstract

The most common environmental concern in metropolitan cities worldwide is noise pollution. Bengaluru metropolis (India) is also suffering from the problem of the increased noise level in the urban environment. Bengaluru metropolis has been selected for the assessment of noise pollution. The main reasons behind the increasing level of noise in the city are increased population, rapid urbanization, industrialization, increased transportation facilities, urban development, construction and demolition works etc. The noise levels were recorded for every day as per Indian standard time for 365 days. 10 sampling stations are located within the city depending upon the category of area/zone such as Industrial, Residential, Silence and Commercial. 365 days were prescribed for each sampling location for noise level measurement. Noise descriptors such as $\mathrm{L}_{\mathrm{max}},\mathrm{L}_{\mathrm{min}}, \mathrm{L}_{10}, \mathrm{L}_{50}, \mathrm{L}_{90}$, NC (noise climate), $\mathrm{L}_{\mathrm{np}}$ (noise pollution level), $\mathrm{L}_{\mathrm{eq}}$ (equivalent noise level) were computed with the observed data. Noise descriptors are very useful to indicate the physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution associated with noise levels. Small variations in noise levels were observed for all sampling locations i.e. noise levels were almost similar at sampling locations.