PERFORMANCE OF FHWA MODEL FOR PREDICTING TRAFFIC NOISE: A CASE STUDY OF METROPOLITAN CITY, LUCKNOW (INDIA)

Arvind Kumar Shukla,Sukhvir Singh Jain,Jyoti Bhushan Srivastava,Manoranjan Parida

doi:10.3846/1648-4142.2009.24.234-240

Arvind Kumar Shukla, Sukhvir Singh Jain + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3846/1648-4142.2009.24.234-240

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Abstract

Industrial and transport activities are the two major sources of noise pollution in any metropolitan city. Lucknow city, the capital of the largest populated state Uttar Pradesh in India has an area of 310 sq. km and is rapidly growing as a commercial, industrial and trading centre of northern India. The population of Lucknow city as per census 2001 is 22.45 Lacs. It is expected that by the year 2021 it will make 45 Lacs. The total vehicle population in Lucknow city on 31 March 2008, was nearly 1 million with almost 80% two wheelers, 12% cars, 1.36% three wheelers, 0.45% buses etc. A study was carried out to assess the existing status of noise levels and its impacts on the environment with a possibility of further expansion of the city. Ambient noise levels were measured at different locations selected on the basis of land use such as silence, heavy traffic and residential and commercial zones. It was found that noise levels at all selected locations were much higher (75–90 dB) than the prescribed limits. The observed traffic volume and data on road geometry were used to predict noise levels using Federal Highway Administration Agency (FHWA) model and the calculated noise levels were compared with the observed levels for checking the suitability of this model for predicting the future levels. It was established that the results obtained by FHWA model were very close to the observed noise levels and that the model was suitable to be used for other similar metropolitan cities in India.

Highlights

Vehicular noise pollution is increasing at an alarming rate in metropolitan cities with an increase in urbanization.A rapid increase in population, unplanned urbanization and the development of transportation projects without environmental impact assessment may be listed as the main reason behind traffic noise (Abdel Alim et al 1983; Ayvaz 1994; Morillas et al 2002; Homburger et al 1992).In India, noise levels in metropolitan cities have reached very high levels making 76–80 dB(A) and traffic management technologies have failed due to a lack of enforcement and poor legislation
Road traffic noise in most of the urban areas is increasing at an alarming rate which is a cause of concern for the residents living along the highways
Ambient noise levels were measured at different locations selected on the basis of land use such as silence, heavy traffic and residential and commercial zones

Summary

Introduction

Vehicular noise pollution is increasing at an alarming rate in metropolitan cities with an increase in urbanization. In India, noise levels in metropolitan cities have reached very high levels making 76–80 dB(A) and traffic management technologies have failed due to a lack of enforcement and poor legislation. Even mild noise is enough to dilate the pupil of the eye. Repeated dilation makes it necessary to change the eyes’ focus immediately, adversely affecting the ability to do delicate work. The aggravation of allergy, asthma, emotional breakdown, insomnia, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure and malformation in foetal nervous system are only a few diseases caused by noise

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