Correlations between Traffic Noise and Accommodation Units Location in Craiova (Romania)

Abstract

On the background of regional development, during the last decade, the number of the accommodation units, especially hotels, increased significantly. Thus, if in 2001 there were 8 accommodation units, in 2014, the number of registered units reached 35 out of which 18 were hotels, 9 guesthouses, 4 hostels and 2 motels and 2 tourist villas. Besides the business tourism, Craiova city has the possibility to increase the number of tourists, their trend, already increasing, is evidenced by the 63,144 tourists registered in 2014, as compared to 41,081 persons registered at the beginning of the above mentioned period. On this background, noise is an important degradation factor of the urban environment, a major problem that impacts the quality of life and one of the most important causes of the fundamental contradiction between urban tourism and environmental quality. This study analyses the present situation regarding the location of the accommodation units from the point of view of the noise comfort and accessibility. The study correlates the existing noise map of Craiova with the measurements (Sound Level Meter NL-31) performed for the main accommodation units existent, recordings on the basis of which the units will be granted a grade value according to the noise level, accessibility and related improvements. Emphasis is placed on conducting accurate measurements and computer simulations in order to evaluate the noise exposure levels for the accommodation units in Craiova. Furthermore the study attempts to understand the prioritization made by the urban tourists when considering environmental sound quality versus distance from the main city attractions. The study reveals that the average noise level surpassed 50dB in the case of all accommodation units (and even 55dB, with a single exception), irrespective of the measurement interval, transcending the limits stipulated by the present policy.