Abstract
Abstract In this paper, we present the results of the noise monitoring in the urban area of Milan, Italy, associated with COVID-19 outbreak. In order to limit the diffusion of the pandemic, Italy adopted growing levels of restrictive measures, which ended with a 41-day lockdown from March 23 to May 3 2020. This action created a new kind of environment including a remarkable reduction of air, water and soil pollutants, together with a partial recovery of the ecosystems otherwise compromised. The presence of a permanent noise monitoring system made of 24 sensors installed in the city of Milan, allowed capturing the changes in the urban sound environment in a pre, during and post-lockdown period (months from February to June 2020). The comparison of the noise levels in terms of both absolute noise levels (Lden) and hourly noise profiles (median over lockdown period) with the same period of 2019, showed a dramatic reduction of the noise levels of approximately 6 dB. Splitting the contribution of all-non-traffic noises or anomalous noise events (ANE) from the recorded noise levels, we observe a greater contribution of the latter during the lockdown period. The use of DYNAMAP noise prediction system over an extended urban area allowed the evaluation of the population exposure to noise, estimating an increase of 14.9% and 16.4% of the exposed population to noises with Lden below 53 dB(A) and Lnight below 45 dB(A) with respect to 2019.
Highlights
In this paper, we present the results of the noise monitoring in the urban area of Milan, Italy, associated with COVID-19 outbreak
The presence of a permanent noise monitoring system made of 24 sensors installed in the city of Milan, allowed capturing the changes in the urban sound environment in a pre, during and post-lockdown period
The DYNamic Acoustic MAPping (DYNAMAP) is a LIFE+ project aimed at developing a dynamic noise mapping system able to detect and represent in real time the acoustic impact of road infrastructures in urban and suburban areas through a direct link with a limited number of noise monitoring sensors, permanently installed in the area of study
Summary
Abstract: In this paper, we present the results of the noise monitoring in the urban area of Milan, Italy, associated with COVID-19 outbreak. The uniqueness in the Italian framework of the permanent noise monitoring network installed in a pilot area of the city of Milan and the motorway surrounding Rome, allowed to capture the changes in the environmental noise conditions engendered by lockdown measures. These permanent noise monitoring networks were implemented in the context of DYNAMAP Life+ European project [8]. PHASE 3 Action 8: DPCM 15/06/2020 – effect: fourth partial reopening (no schools and public oflces)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
