Assessment of honking impact on traffic noise in urban traffic environment of Nagpur, India.

Asheesh Sharma,Tapan Chakrabarti,Rajesh Gupta,Ritesh Vijay

doi:10.1186/s40201-015-0164-4

Abstract

BackgroundIn context of increasing traffic noise in urban India, the objective of the research study is to assess noise due to heterogeneous traffic conditions and the impact of honking on it.MethodTraffic volume, noise levels, honking, road geometry and vehicular speed were measured on national highway, major and minor roads in Nagpur, India.ResultsInitial study showed lack of correlation between traffic volume and equivalent noise due to some factors, later identified as honking, road geometry and vehicular speed. Further, frequency analysis of traffic noise showed that honking contributed an additional 2 to 5 dB (A) noise, which is quite significant. Vehicular speed was also found to increase traffic noise. Statistical method of analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirms that frequent honking (p < 0.01) and vehicular speed (p < 0.05) have substantial impact on traffic noise apart from traffic volume and type of road.ConclusionsThe study suggests that honking must also be a component in traffic noise assessment and to identify and monitor “No Honking” zones in urban agglomerations.

Highlights

In context of increasing traffic noise in urban India, the objective of the research study is to assess noise due to heterogeneous traffic conditions and the impact of honking on it
Noise is directly proportional to traffic volume which means that traffic noise increases with increase in traffic volume [28]
Second set of data suggests that honking and heavy vehicles moving on the roads have significant impact on traffic noise as compared to light and medium vehicles

Summary

Introduction

In context of increasing traffic noise in urban India, the objective of the research study is to assess noise due to heterogeneous traffic conditions and the impact of honking on it. The most important factors raising noise pollution in urban areas are vehicular traffic, railway and air traffic [5,6]. The need for studies regarding urban noise pollution and its consequences on the environment has motivated various researchers in several counties including India [10,11,12]. Most cities in India have been facing serious noise pollution problems in the last few decades due to substantial growth in the number of vehicles, expansion of road network, industrialization and urbanization [13,14,15]. Assessment of traffic noise pollution is not easy and varies with types and physical conditions of vehicles, speed, honking and road geometry [16,17]. Estimation of traffic noise is more difficult in Indian cities considering

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