Evaluating noise and pollution indices for the Al-Kufa road network

Abstract

Determining effective countermeasures and solutions to environmental problems caused by traffic congestion, is a vital task especially in urban areas. This study’s primary purpose was thus to evaluate the road network in Al-Kufa city using several indices, such as noise and pollution. Limited previous studies have discussed the assessment of Al-Kufa road network, creating a need to determine the best means of evaluating noise and pollution levels among the standard options. Noise and pollution were thus investigated for different roads in the city based on field data at peak periods of traffic flow. The results were used to assess the levels of noise and pollution on the tested roads in the network, with the analysis indicating that both noise and pollution levels are generally higher than standard values. Some short- and long-term suggestions to develop more suitable sustainable operational characteristics were thus offered.