Influence of transport noise on living environment in New Moscow

Abstract

The article considers problems of increasing traffic noise in the territory of New Moscow. The increase in traffic flow during the reconstruction of the Kaluga highway led to the expansion of the acoustic discomfort zone. The actual norms of permissible noise levels were violated in many low–rise buildings settlements of New Moscow. The study object was the settlement of Desenovskoe, as the inhabitants of settlement began to note the increase in discomfort associated with the reconstruction of the highway. However, there were no protective measures for this settlement according to the reconstruction plan. Students under the guidance of Moscow state University of Civil Engineering lecturers carried out instrumental measurements and analysis of the traffic noise level. A comprehensive detailed approach to measurement is distinctive feature of this research. 28 characteristic measuring points were chosen in the territory of the settlement and on its border. The location of the points was chosen taking into the lie of the ground and the distribution of the traffic flow. The measurements were carried out in parallel along the Kaluga highway, on access roads and inside Desenovskoe settlement. Instrumental research was conducted both in the daytime and at night. The daily measurements were carried out on Monday and Friday (the days of the greatest congestion of highways in this locality), night measurements were on Wednesday. In addition, the intensity and composition of the traffic flow were calculated. Equivalent and maximum sound levels in dBA, and the average and maximum sound pressure levels in dB were determined by the results of the studies and based on calculations. Significant norms’ deviations for the permissible noise level for populated areas were revealed both for the daytime and for the nighttime period. These results became the basis for creating noise propagation maps and determining zones of acoustic discomfort in Desenovskoe settlement. The zone of acoustic discomfort spread about 400 m deep into the territory of the settlement. Half of the residents were in the zone of acoustic discomfort.