Evaluation of Noise Pollution in Residential Areas Under the Influence of Truck Traffic in Ramshir, Khuzestan-Iran

Abstract

Background & Aims: Noise is one of the types of urban pollution that causes human annoyance. This study aimed at investigating noise pollution in residential areas under the influence of truck traffic in Ramshir in 2023. Materials and Methods: In this applied research, sound parameters were measured by a sound meter capable of measuring the minimum sound level, maximum sound level, equivalent continuous sound level (Leq), and sound pressure level (SPL) of sound parameters at 10 stations in the morning and at night with 3 repetitions. In addition, noise annoyance was determined in 100 people in residential areas exposed to urban noise using the ISO 15666 noise annoyance questionnaire. Measurements were performed over three months in two day and night shifts using a TES-1358C analyzer sound meter device (TES Company, Taiwan). The raw data were entered into SPSS 21 and Excel software and then categorized, and the necessary results were extracted, including the average of the data, as well as the maximum and the minimum of the data. Results: The results revealed that the average SPL was 88.25 dB during the daytime on Tawheed Street, so it had the highest measured sound level compared to other investigated areas. Further, the Leq was 82.17 dB at night in the Shariati area, which had a higher SPL than other areas. The highest Leq of the day was related to Naft Street Station, with an average value of 83.40 dB, while the lowest Leq value attributed to Damghani Street Station was measured with an average value of 71.41 dB. The highest Leq of night noise was related to Shariati Street Station, with an average value of 82.17 dB. The impact of truck noise was highly uncomfortable, uncomfortable, and slightly uncomfortable for 13%, 37%, and 36% of people, respectively. Conclusion: In general, in the range of 10 stations, the SPL and Leq were measured higher at night and day than the standards of the Iranian Environmental Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency (55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night for residential areas). According to the sum of the answers, the sound of the trucks in the intended city could hurt people. People are most dissatisfied with the sound of trucks in the morning and at night.