The Fortaleza noise mapping project: A tool for the definition of noise action plans for the airport, the light rail system, and the Ceara musical event.

Abstract

The Fortaleza noise mapping project was set up for the spatial representation of environmental noise indicators to obtain an essential tool to analyze and define strategies for noise pollution control in Fortaleza, Brazil. This is the first large‐scale noise map drawn for a large city in Brazil. Noise emissions from the most important sources contributing to the sound environment of the city, namely, road traffic, railway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise, and noise from entertainment areas, were included. The method followed a hybrid approach, essentially calculation complemented with experimental measurements for validation and calibration. The large‐scale noise assessment allowed detailed studies of the noise impact of the Fortaleza International Airport, located well within the urban city area, the impact of the passage of the underground access light rail tunnel on the local soundscape, and the impact of the Ceará musical event, which, though being part of the city cultural program, takes place in central and seaside areas close to a public hospital. These studies will be presented and discussed in the context of a geographical area where the fair climate allows long hours spent outdoors.