Effects Of Traffic Noise Research Articles

More green, less annoying? The moderating effects of greenery near home, noise sensitivity, and nature relatedness on road traffic noise annoyance

Noise is one of the greatest environmental health risks causing health issues via stress, deteriorated sleep, and annoyance. Noise annoyance is partially explained by measurable sound characteristics, and partially by other environmental, situational, and individual factors. Greenery might decrease noise annoyance via hiding the noise source, facilitating psycho-physiological restoration, and masking noise. However, whether greenery near home and some individual traits moderate the effect of road traffic noise on noise annoyance has been rarely assessed in everyday life. Using cross-sectional Environmental Health survey (n = 7321) collected at the Finnish capital region in 2015–16, we analysed the interactions between road traffic noise, green space, tree cover density, green view from home, noise sensitivity and nature relatedness on noise annoyance, using logistic regression modeling. Covariates included age, gender, socio-economic indicators, living floor, and the direction of windows. More green space and greater tree coverage around home were associated with lower odds of road traffic noise annoyance when road traffic noise was < 60 dB Lden but increasingly higher odds at higher noise levels. No other interactions were found. Green view was only tentatively associated with lower odds of noise annoyance. Noise sensitivity and nature relatedness were related to greater odds of noise annoyance. In conclusion, greenery might mitigate noise annoyance at low-to-moderate road traffic noise levels. At higher noise levels, greenery may even increase noise annoyance. This could be due to incongruency between expected and actualised soundscapes in greener areas. However, more studies, especially interventions, are needed to confirm this.

Cross-country variation in psychophysiological responses to traffic noise exposure: Laboratory experiments in India and the UKa).

Traffic noise exposure has detrimental effects on human health, including both auditory and nonauditory impacts. As one such nonauditory factor, individuals and communities in different countries may exhibit different patterns of noise sensitivity and corresponding tolerance levels, leading to a change in overall noise perception. This paper investigated the cross-country differences in psychophysiological responses to traffic noise exposure between Indian and British individuals. A psychophysiological signal-based [heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance response (SCR)] listening experiment was conducted in India and the United Kingdom to analyze changes in noise perception and psychophysiological responses resulting from exposure to the same noise stimuli. HRV analysis indicated greater cardiovascular impact in the British group due to a significant increase in heart rate (W = 653, p < 0.01). Also, a significant increase in the SCR (W = 535, p < 0.001) was noted, indicating a greater level of physiological stress among British participants due to traffic noise stimuli. These findings highlight the difference in noise perception due to cross-country variation using psychophysiological responses. Understanding these cross-country differences can inform targeted interventions and policies to mitigate the adverse effects of traffic noise on human well-being.

Effects of traffic noise on the psychophysiological responses of college students: An EEG study

Traffic noise harms public health, but the specific mechanisms are not fully understood. To understand how traffic noise at different sound pressure levels (SPLs) affects psychophysiological responses, this study examined five SPLs of traffic noise: 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 dB. 38 young college students were recruited for Profile of Mood States (POMS) evaluations and measurements of electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram. The study found that traffic noise exposure led to a 0.95–1.64-fold increase in mood disturbance compared to no sound, with 60 dB traffic noise causing a significantly greater increase compared to other SPLs. As SPL increased, ΔLF/HF increased by 0.01–0.83, indicating heightened stress levels. Traffic noise also induced stress responses in the brain, with α power reduced by 13.08–24.15 % compared to no sound. High SPL traffic noise significantly harmed brain comfort. Compared to 40–45 dB, exposure to 50–60 dB traffic noise significantly increased α power by 28.66–85.80 % (p < 0.05). Additionally, 60 dB traffic noise increased the likelihood of supercritical brain activity by 32.49 % compared to no sound. Psychological response changes were closely related to physiological response changes. Δα power, particularly in the frontal and parietal lobes, was the strongest predictor of the increase in total mood disturbance, suggesting these lobes should be the focus of future traffic noise-brain studies. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the negative effects of traffic noise from a psychophysiological perspective, highlighting the harm of high SPLs. The findings provide valuable insights for developing indoor acoustic environment standards.

Traffic Noise Affects Brazilian Mundo Novo Treefrog Calling Behavior

Anthropogenic disturbance, including noise, is a major cause of biodiversity decline worldwide. Especially in anurans, the effect of noise pollution is known to have major consequences on their reproduction since acoustic communication is an essential part of this process. In this study, we tested the effect of three levels of traffic noise (55 dB, 65 dB, and 75 dB) corresponding to three different distances from the road (200, 100, and 50 m, respectively) on the Brazilian Mundo Novo treefrog (Boana marginata). The results of the playback experiments showed an effect on call type B. More specifically, there was a decrease in the advertisement call rate, a reduction in the number of pulses, and a lengthening of the interval between pulses, particularly at 65 dB. These findings suggest that at distances of up to 100 m, the masking effect significantly influences acoustic communication on the species. However, a 55 dB stimulus—equal to 200 m from the road edge—did not change the call in this species, suggesting a minimal distance to implement noise-inflicting infrastructures. We recommend that new studies adopt sampling methods from this distance to refine the threshold of the traffic noise effect.

Potential effects of traffic noise on anuran call characteristics in Louisiana, USA during winter.

Urban environments expose wildlife to levels of anthropogenic noise they would not experience in rural areas (e.g., traffic noise), and research suggests that many species adjust their acoustic signals for optimal transmission in urban soundscapes. However, our understanding of anuran (order Anura) responses to noise pollution in urban environments of the southeastern United States is limited, particularly for species that can breed during winter. Our goal was to examine how vocal anuran advertisement call characteristics during winter varied with increasing distance from roadways in bottomland hardwoods of Louisiana, USA. We deployed acoustic recording units at two sites (i.e., rural and urban) perpendicular to Interstate 10 at 200-, 400-, and 600-m intervals (i.e., close, middle, and far) from November 2019 to January 2020. We detected Cajun Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris fouquettei) and Cricket Frogs (Acris spp.) at our rural site, and only detected Cricket Frogs at our urban site. At the rural site, Cajun Chorus Frogs produced longer duration notes at the far location compared to the middle location. At the urban site, Cricket Frogs produced higher dominant frequency calls at the close location compared to the far and middle locations and longer duration notes at the far location compared to the close location. We were unable to account for additional factors in our models (e.g., temperature, noise levels), but our results generally align with previous research. Our study provides baseline data for future research to examine the potential effects of traffic noise on winter advertisement calls in locations with similar environmental conditions and species.

Life cycle approach for evaluating the environmental and economic viability of low-noise asphalt pavements

This paper aims to make recommendations about the convenience of using low-noise pavements to mitigate traffic noise under different traffic and population scenarios. To do so, a life cycle approach has been applied by performing a Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life-cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). To account for the noise mitigation achieved by the road surfaces, which is the main benefit compared to conventional road surfaces, the damage effect of traffic noise has been incorporated in both analyses. Thus, open source noise emission and propagation modelling and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools have been used to determine the noise level at which residents are exposed. The impact of noise emissions on human health is estimated and expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the related external cost have been calculated by monetarizing the environmental impacts and by integrating them within the cost assessment. The methodology followed allowed the comparison of different scenarios and the results show a huge potential for reducing environmental impacts and costs when using low-noise road surfaces although accurate information about the acoustic aging of the materials is key in order to ensure that benefits are obtained.

Effects of urban traffic noise on the early growth and transcription of Arabidopsis thaliana

Man-made noise in cities has been recognized as one of the major contributors to a range of adverse health outcomes, including heart disease. Besides the detrimental effects on human health, noise can act as a potential threat to other organisms in the ecosystem. Despite the growing concern, the biological effects of noise pollution on plants, in particular, remain largely obscure. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of urban traffic noise on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana). We hypothesized that traffic noise could stimulate plant growth (seed germination and seedling growth) since noise treatment has been reported to improve immunity and drought tolerance in A. thaliana (1, 2). Seeds in the experimental group were exposed to 48 hours of traffic noise recorded in a highly congested area of Seoul, while the control group was exposed to background white noise. Compared with background white noise, traffic noise exposure had no effects on seed germination but significantly increased the growth of seedlings by 39%. We further investigated the traffic noise-induced molecular changes in the A. thaliana seedlings by employing RNA sequencing. We detected aberrant expression of 690 genes in traffic noise-exposed seedlings. The differentially expressed genes were enriched for various biological pathways, such as stress response and auxin signaling. The observed molecular changes suggest profound impacts of traffic noise on the physiology of A. thaliana. The results of our research can help shed light on the fundamental principles underlying the noise-plant interaction as well as provide a further basis for conserving our ecosystem.

The effect of road traffic noise on primary schools in Southern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study on insomnia and daytime hypersomnia

The effect of road traffic noise on primary schools in Southern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study on insomnia and daytime hypersomnia

Influence of social and physical environmental variation on antipredator behavior in mixed-species parid flocks.

Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) and tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor) regularly form flocks with multiple species through the winter months, including white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis). Earlier studies found that behavior of both chickadees and titmice was sensitive to mixed-species flock composition. Little is known about the influence of background noise level and vegetation density on the antipredator behaviors of individuals within these flocks, however. We tested for the effects of vegetation density, traffic noise, and flock composition (conspecific number, flock diversity, and flock size) on antipredator behavioral responses following an alarm call playback (Study 1) and an owl model presentation (Study 2) at feeders. We recorded background traffic noise and performed lidar scans to quantify vegetation density at each site. After a feeder had been stocked with seed and a flock was present, we recorded calls produced, and we identified flock composition metrics. We coded seed-taking latency, call latency, mob latency, and mob duration following the respective stimulus presentation and tested for effects of flock composition metrics, vegetation density, and background noise on these responses. For the alarm call playback study, flock composition drove behaviors in chickadees and titmice, and vegetation density drove behaviors in chickadees and nuthatches. For the owl model study, conspecific number predicted behavior in chickadees, and mob duration was predicted by nuthatch number. The results reveal individual sensitivity to group composition in anti-predatory and foraging behavior in simulated risky contexts. Additionally, our data suggest that the modality of perceived simulated risk (acoustic vs. visual) and the density of vegetation influence behavior in these groups.

The Mitigating Effects of Water Sound Attributes on Stress Responses to Traffic Noise

Traffic noise is a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes. Despite burgeoning interest in reducing the harmful health effects of traffic noise, research on the influence of physical and psychoacoustic attributes has been sparse. Consequently, this study examines the impacts of various acoustic attributes on mitigating stress response to traffic noise using dependent variables derived from electrodermal activity. The results indicate that: (a) mixing water sound (noise) at a low signal-to-noise ratio effectively mitigated stress response to traffic noise (signal), whereas mixing white noise with high fractal complexity (noise) significantly induced stress; and (b) sound pressure and acoustic sharpness significantly reduced stress response to traffic noise. Conversely, attributes such as high fractal complexity, moderate and high signal-to-noise ratios, acoustic loudness, and mean frequency significantly increased stress. This research offers a viable blueprint for creating evidence-based noise mitigation strategies that focus on intervention sound attributes.

Effect of rail traffic noises on the perception of the acoustic environment in office spaces

This study conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the effect of rail traffic noise on the perception of the acoustic environment in office spaces. The study considered two types of experiment stimuli, single noise, and combined noise. The single noise stimuli consisted of silence (SL), air conditioning noise (AC), irrelevant speech (SP), and six types of traffic noise (Tr). Traffic noise included road (R), maglev (Ma), tram (T), conventional train (C), high-speed train (H), and metro (Me). The combined noise stimuli used air conditioning sound and speech as background noise and combined with six types of traffic noise to form the experimental stimuli. Thirty subjects took part in laboratory experiments in which the acoustic environment was rated on two aspects: noise disturbance and acoustic comfort. Under single noises, the results showed that the noise source had a significant negative effect on the evaluation of the acoustic environment. The influence of traffic noises varied with the traffic type, which was lower and higher than that of irrelevant speech and air conditioning noise, respectively. Under combined acoustic conditions, acoustic comfort was affected by the main effects of background noise type, traffic noise type, and traffic noise level. In addition to the main effects, noise disturbance was also influenced by the interaction between traffic noise level and background noise type, and between traffic noise level and traffic noise type. Keywords: rail traffic noise; office space; acoustic environment; acoustic comfort; noise disturbance

Exposure response relationships of annoyance and vibration and noise from passenger and freight trains in Sweden - results from the EpiVib study

Rail traffic is increasing in Europe, still little is known about the health effects of rail traffic vibration and noise for people living close to the railways. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between vibration respective noise from rail traffic and persons highly annoyed by vibration. The study population (N=7280) was randomly selected from residents (18-80 years) living within 1km of a trafficked railway in Sweden. Vibration and noise levels were modelled for each participant's home address. Result show exposure-response relationships between levels of vibration and noise and annoyance for all types of trains, especially freight trains. The association between maximum vibration velocity at building foundation (Vmax) and high annoyance by vibration from freight trains, accounting for potential confounders was (OR=1.37 per 0.1mm/s Vmax; 95% CI 1.32-1.42). Similarly, for railway noise (LAFmax) (OR=1.19 per 1 dB LAFmax; 95% CI 1.17-1.21). Analysis suggests an interaction between noise and vibration, where the effect of noise level on the probability of vibration annoyance by vibration differs with vibration exposure and vice versa. These findings may have implications for environmental health and transportation planning. Keywords: rail traffic vibration, railway noise, annoyance by vibration, freight trains

Statistical Analysis of Traffic Noise Status at Selected Junctions in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Traffic noise is one of the dominant forms of environmental pollution in most urban cities that adversely affect human health globally. The traffic noise emanating from motor vehicles has become a common health problem in many metropolitan cities in developing countries of the world. This study evaluated traffic noise at selected major junctions (Rumuola, Garisson, Boro Pack, and Lagos Bus stop) in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Traffic noise levels at four congested junctions and a control junction in the Metropolis were monitored using a digital sound level meter. Noise indices, L10, L50, L90 equivalent noise levels (Leq), noise climate (NC), noise pollution index (NPI); traffic noise index (TNI); noise pollution level (Lnp); day-evening-night equivalent metric (LDEN) and percentage highly annoyed (%HA) were statistically determined. Traffic noise at Rumuola junction showed traffic noise ranging from 51.9 to 107.9dBA with a mean deviation of 91.3±8.4dBA; traffic noise at Garrison junction ranged from 52.8 to 107.6dBA with a mean deviation of 88.5±9.7dBA; Boro Park junction showed traffic noise ranging from 48.9 to 106.4dBA with a mean deviation of 83.7±10.1dBA; Lagos Bus Stop junction ranged from 45.4 to 94.9dBA with a mean deviation of 81.5±10.8dBA; while the Control junction (Ibadan Street junction)showed a traffic noise ranging from 48.4 to 61.3dBA with a mean deviation of 51.6±5.3dBA. Noise levels at the studied junctions were significantly high and exceeded permissible limit compared to the control junction (p-value = 0.00485; 95%CI). L10 (94.8dBA), L50 (86.8dBA), L90 (76.1dBA) and Leq (92.4dBA) were highest at Rumuola junction and lowest at Control junction (with 57.3dBA, 52.8dBA, 48.4dBA and 54.1dBA, respectively). Computed NPI values (1.25-1.34) indicated high traffic noise levels at the four junctions and low (0.77) at the control junction; Lnp values (105.0-116.6dBA) indicated high traffic noise pollution at the four junctions and low (63.0dBA) at the control junction; TNI values (120.9-138.5) indicated high traffic noise impacts at the four junctions and low (54.0) at the control junction. Computed LDEN and %HA indicated high level of traffic noise annoyance to the four junctions. The study revealed high traffic noise pollution at the four junctions that may significantly affect public health and therefore requires further investigation by concerned authorities to assess the health effects of traffic noise on the surrounding residents and traders at the studied junction.

Development of a methodology for monitoring acoustic noise using mobile phones for ordinary citizens

In the context of the "4 th industrial revolution" that is taking shape, people with certain knowledge, experience and ecological culture are more actively involved in individual and collective decision-making to overcome various environmental problems. One of these environmental problems is the acoustic noise of the environment. Today, many citizens are wondering: what is the level of acoustic noise pollution in the place where I live, work, study or stay and whether it meets the standards. Is this sound level harmful to my health? To answer these questions, many international and national standards and other regulatory documents have been developed. However, these documents are complex, require the use of expensive equipment, i.e. inaccessible to ordinary citizens. On the other hand, the computational, communication and sensory capabilities of modern mobile phones allow them to measure noise performance in order to conduct noise monitoring. To do this, citizens need simple and clear methods, methodologies, instructions for assessing the noise situation in a certain area and creating noise maps using these measurements. The article attempts to develop a simplified methodology for conducting noise monitoring for citizens using their mobile phones. Also, for clarity of the process, monitoring experiments were carried out with mobile phones and professional sound level meters, in order to assess the harmful effects of traffic noise (B. Vahabzade Avenue) on an educational institution (Baku State University – BSU) and research activities (Institute Information Technology-IIT).&#x0D; In preparing the article, general scientific methods and methodologies were used, such as analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalization, and a systematic approach.&#x0D; Citizens can use the survey results to identify areas of noise discomfort using their mobile phones

The Nord2000 prediction method for road traffic noise-outline and validation, and application in environmental noise mapping.

In 2006, the Nord2000 method for predicting traffic noise exposure of road neighbors was published. Subsequently, in 2007, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency made it the official method to be applied in cases involving decision making by environmental authorities. Since then, the method has been amended and computation software has been thoroughly debugged. Scientists have applied traffic noise levels calculated by means of Nord2000 when investigating health and annoyance effects of traffic noise. In 2019, a series of long-term field measurements was carried out as a supplement to the validation efforts made when developing the method, partly as an effort to build public confidence in calculated levels of traffic noise exposure. These measurements were made to investigate the relation between the varying noise levels as measured over time and the predicted yearly average noise levels Lden. Such knowledge can support and nuance explanations of how people are-or will be-affected by noise levels predicted as Lden. The present article outlines basic features of Nord2000 with an emphasis on the validation of the method and, particularly, on the outcome of the recent long-term measurement series.

Noise and Air Pollution as Risk Factors for Hypertension: Part I-Epidemiology.

Traffic noise and air pollution are 2 major environmental health risk factors in urbanized societies that often occur together. Despite cooccurrence in urban settings, noise and air pollution have generally been studied independently, with many studies reporting a consistent effect on blood pressure for individual exposures. In the present reviews, we will discuss the epidemiology of air pollution and noise effects on arterial hypertension and cardiovascular disease (part I) and the underlying pathophysiology (part II). Both environmental stressors have been found to cause endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, circadian dysfunction, and activation of the autonomic nervous system, thereby facilitating the development of hypertension. We also discuss the effects of interventions, current gaps in knowledge, and future research tasks. From a societal and policy perspective, the health effects of both air pollution and traffic noise are observed well below the current guideline recommendations. To this end, an important goal for the future is to increase the acceptance of environmental risk factors as important modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, given their substantial impact on the burden of cardiovascular disease.

A study on the impact of road traffic noise exposure on work efficiency of housewives.

Housewives are individuals who take on the caregiving role in the family in virtually every society and while discharging their duties experience serious psychological difficulties due to external environmental pollutants like air, noise, etc., which influences their efficiency of performing household activities. This study hypothesizes a causal association between perception of traffic noise and the reduction in performance of housewives in their daily household activities. A simple mediation model was utilized for the study with traffic noise perception as the exposure variable. The sensitivity to traffic noise, annoyance caused due to traffic noise, and the effect of traffic noise on housewives were evaluated using questionnaire survey. Of the respondents, 57.33% reported high level of traffic noise perception, while 65.81% reported high annoyance due to traffic noise perception. Of the respondents, 88.69% reported higher levels of agreement with regard to negative effect of traffic noise on their household activities. The results supported the hypothesis with respondents belonging to high and moderate noise perception groups reporting a higher reduction in performance as compared to those belonging to the low noise perception group at higher values of sensitivity. There was no significant direct effect among those who perceived traffic noise as high and moderate. However, the indirect path revealed that there was a significantly higher reduction in performance among those belonging to the high and moderate noise perception group as compared to those belonging to the low noise perception group while those who perceived traffic noise as high and moderate did not differ significantly only at higher levels of sensitivity. Using OGRS computational tool, a sensitivity value of 5.586 was identified as the Johnson-Neyman boundary of significance for the direct effect. The results from the study highlight the need for including environmental noise related regulations with regard to residential structures by the concerned authorities and also the need for undertaking more rigorous studies by health authorities and organizations so that the effects are minimized if not eliminated completely.

Auditory and Nonauditory Risks Related to Roadway Traffic Noise: An Overview for Audiologists

Purpose: Roadway traffic noise is recognized as a public health concern as it is associated with negative auditory and nonauditory health outcomes. This article provides an overview of roadway noise exposure and the related negative health consequences. The overview specifically includes information on the sources of roadway traffic noise, noise exposure measurement techniques, historic and current U.S. policy regarding roadway noise exposure, and practical suggestions for audiologists for mitigating the negative consequences of excessive roadway noise exposure. The purpose of this overview is to educate audiologists of these effects. Conclusions: Roadway traffic noise exposure is a public health concern both nationally and globally. Nonauditory effects of excessive roadway noise exposure are better understood than auditory effects; however, more evidence is needed to thoroughly to assess the risks to the public. Opportunities in the United States exist at the federal and local level to better understand the effects of roadway traffic noise and mitigate undesirable auditory and nonauditory health consequences. To address noise exposure as a growing public health concern, audiologists should be aware of the effects that roadway noise exposure has on the general population as well as provide education and preventative health care services.

Interlaboratory comparison of ISO 23351-1: speech level reduction of furniture ensembles

We examined the effects of both wind turbine noise and road traffic noise on symptoms and diseases close to wind turbines and in a control area. Wind turbine sound levels were between 1739 dB LAeq and met the Finnish regulation (40 dB). Daytime road traffic noise levels were 32.5-63.5 dB. Altogether 676 residents responded to the questionnaire. Higher wind turbine sound level was associated with more likely reporting wind turbine noise annoyance and not with reporting of symptoms or chronic diseases. Higher road traffic sound level was associated with higher probability of road traffic noise annoyance, migraine or headache, dizziness, impaired hearing, pressure in ears, tachycardia or heart palpitations, and heart disease. The health effects of wind farms seem to be limited to noise annoyance in areas where all residents are exposed to sound levels under 40 dB. The study has strong practical relevance since new wind power areas always fulfill this 40 dB regulation in Finland. On the other hand, more than 600.000 inhabitants are exposed to road traffic noise levels above 55 dB in Finland. Because high road traffic noise is associated with elevated prevalence of symptoms and a disease in our study, and several previous international studies have found even more serious health effects of road traffic noise, this issue deserves higher concern in the future.

Effect of Traffic Noise on Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase Concentration while Driving

Effect of Traffic Noise on Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase Concentration while Driving