Assessment of the noise level on arterial streets depending on traffic flow indicators

Abstract

The intensity of traffic flows increases every year and intensifies its impact significantly on urban territory's ecologic situation and natural environment. In Ukrainian cities, the growth of noise pollution is quite a topical problem as it has a significant impact on the environment because of the increase in car numbers. Traffic flow intensity and densification of the built-up area cause the increase of the noise level. As analytical methods of calculation of determination of traffic noise level have several disadvantages, then for assessing the level of noise on arterial streets of Lviv city, research is carried out with consideration of traffic flow indicators. One of the critical criteria that have an impact on noise pollution in the urban environment is traffic flow composition. Conducted research indicates that the speed of traffic flow creates significant noise pollution, especially on those streets where cobblestone is a road pavement. Freight and passenger transport that moves along arterial streets causes the increase of noise level and increases its impact on the city territory. On sections of arterial streets in peak periods of the day with high values of volume-capacity ratio and general share of freight and public transport of more than 30% in a flow, the noise exceeds the acceptable norms and has a harmful impact on the environment. That is why it is necessary to assess noise pollution and the development of protection measures from noise during the planning and construction of some urban regions or residential areas. It is established that to lower the noise level on streets, it is necessary to consider existing intersections of arterial streets and the regime of movement on them. To lower transport noise, it is necessary to distribute freight and transit transport by city streets more rationally, use qualitative public transport, and limit the maximal speed regime on city streets. Further research on the road network will provide an opportunity to assess the noise level distribution of traffic flows in Lviv city. It will help to determine the problem places and propose methods of combating traffic noise.