Monitoring of traffic noise pollution in urban Patna, Bihar, India

Abstract

Road traffic noise is a major environmental issue that has been faced by many people around the world, including in Patna city. There is a need to investigate noise regularly because of the rapidly increasing traffic volume. This study focuses on the estimation of the urban traffic noise level in Patna, Bihar, India. Based on a preliminary survey of traffic volume, 12 stations were selected. A sound meter was used to measure the “A”-weighted noise level. Noise parameters like L10, L50, and L90 were evaluated from the collected noise data. And these noise parameters were used for the calculation of noise pollution indices like Noise Climate (NC), Equivalent Continuous Noise Level (Leq), Noise Pollution Level (NPL), and Traffic Noise Index (TNI). These noise indices compare with the standard limit of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) measured at different locations in the commercial cum residential zones varies from 77.7 dBA to 92.5 dBA, which is higher than the prescribed noise level limit of the CPCB. Other noise indices, such as the NPL and TNI, are found to range from 88.2 dBA to 111.5 dBA and 77.9 dBA to 125.9 dBA, respectively, at various sampling locations and are also higher than the prescribed limit of the CPCB. The noise level of all stations was found to exceed the prescribed limit of the CPCB. There is a strong correlation exists between NPL with TNI and NC (r > 0.5). Also, there is a strong correlation exists between Leq with NPL (r > 0.5). Using NPL as a dependent variable and TNI, NC, and Leq as independent variables, the regression model was completely validated.