Traffic Noise Assessment at Residential Areas in Skudai, Johor

F.S Sulaiman,K Yahya,N Mashros,Z Haron,N Darus,N Mohamed Noor,A.W Azhari

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/20183402024

Abstract

Vehicles passing by on roadways in residential areas may produce unpleasant traffic noise that affects the residents. This paper presents the traffic noise assessment of three selected residential areas located in Skudai, Johor. The objectives of this study are to evaluate traffic characteristics at selected residential areas, determine related noise indices, and assess impact of traffic noise. Traffic characteristics such as daily traffic volume and vehicle speed were evaluated using automatic traffic counter (ATC). Meanwhile, noise indices like equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq), noise level exceeded 10% (L10) and 90% (L90) of measurement time were determined using sound level meter (SLM). Besides that, traffic noise index (TNI) and noise pollution level (LNP) were calculated based on the measured noise indices. The results showed an increase in noise level of 60 to 70 dBA maximum due to increase in traffic volume. There was also a significant change in noise level of more than 70 dBA even though average vehicle speed did not vary significantly. Nevertheless, LAeq, TNI, and LNPvalues for all sites during daytime were lower than the maximum recommended levels. Thus, residents in the three studied areas were not affected in terms of quality of life and health.

Highlights

Noise can cause stress, disturb sleep, disrupt activities, hinder work, and impede learning [1]
The range of sound pressure that can be detected by human ears is very wide whereby these levels are measured in logarithmic scale in the unit of decibel [2]
This study was conducted in three main stages: (1) evaluation of traffic characteristics; (2) determination of noise indices; and (3) assessment of traffic noise impact

Summary

Introduction

Disturb sleep, disrupt activities, hinder work, and impede learning [1]. Noise pollution has always been a significant environmental problem for humans. It can be defined as unwanted sound that intrudes humans’ daily activities. The range of sound pressure that can be detected by human ears is very wide whereby these levels are measured in logarithmic scale in the unit of decibel (dB) [2]. Traffic is a dominant noise source in urban and rural environments Noise sources include those from motor vehicles, aircrafts, and rail transport. This noise originates from the engine and frictional contact between the vehicle and the ground, and is affected by traffic flow rate that depends on vehicle’s speed and road’s surface condition [3]

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Results

Conclusion