Transportation Noise Research Articles

Quantum transport and shot noise in two-dimensional semi-Dirac system

Two-dimensional (2D) semi-Dirac systems, such as 2D black phosphorus and arsenene, can exhibit a rich topological phase transition between insulating, semi-Dirac, and band inversion phases when subjected to an external modulation. How these phase transitions manifest within the quantum transport and shot noise signatures remains an open question thus far. Here, we show that the Fano factor converges to the universal F ≈ 0.179 at the semi-Dirac phase and transits between the sub-Poissonian ( F ≈ 1 / 3) and the Poissonian shot noise ( F ≈ 1) limit at the band inversion and the insulating phase, respectively. Furthermore, the conductance of a 2D semi-Dirac system converges to the contrasting limit of G / G 0 → 1 / d and G / G 0 → 0 at the band inversion and the insulating phases, respectively. The quantum tunneling spectra exhibits a peculiar coexistence of massless and massive Dirac quasiparticles in the band inversion regime, thus providing a versatile sandbox to study the tunneling behavior of various Dirac quasiparticles. These findings reveal the rich interplay between band topology and quantum transport signatures, which may serve as smoking gun signatures for the experimental studies of semi-Dirac systems near the topological phase transition.

Long-term exposure to residential transportation noise and mortality: A nationwide cohort study

Studies have indicated that transportation noise is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality, whereas evidence of noise as a risk factor for respiratory and cancer mortality is scarce and inconclusive. Also, knowledge on effects of low-level noise on mortality is very limited. We aimed to investigate associations between road and railway noise and natural-cause and cause-specific mortality in the Danish population. We estimated address-specific road and railway noise at the most (LdenMax) and least (LdenMin) exposed façades for all residential addresses in Denmark from 1990 to 2017 using high-quality exposure models. Using these data, we calculated 10-year time-weighted mean noise exposure for 2.6 million Danes aged >50 years, of whom 600,492 died from natural causes during a mean follow-up of 11.7 years. We analyzed data using Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for individual and area-level sociodemographic variables and air pollution (PM2.5 and NO2). We found that a 10-year mean exposure to road LdenMax and road LdenMin per 10 dB were associated with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of, respectively, 1.09 (1.09; 1.10) and 1.10 (1.10; 1.11) for natural-cause mortality, 1.09 (1.08; 1.10) and 1.09 (1.08; 1.10) for cardiovascular mortality, 1.13 (1.12; 1.14) and 1.17 (1.16; 1.19) for respiratory mortality and 1.03 (1.02; 1.03) and 1.06 (1.05; 1.07) for cancer mortality. For LdenMax, the associations followed linear exposure-response relationships from 35 dB to 60–<65 dB, after which the function levelled off. For LdenMin, exposure-response relationships were linear from 35 dB and up, with some levelling off at high noise levels for natural-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Railway noise did not seem associated with higher mortality in an exposure-response dependent manner. In conclusion, road traffic noise was associated with higher mortality and the increase in risk started well below the current World Health Organization guideline limit for road traffic noise of 53 dB.

Vascular Redox Signaling, Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Uncoupling, and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Setting of Transportation Noise Exposure or Chronic Treatment with Organic Nitrates.

Significance: Cardiovascular disease and drug-induced health side effects are frequently associated with-or even caused by-an imbalance between the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and antioxidants, respectively, determining the metabolism of these harmful oxidants. Recent Advances: According to the "kindling radical" hypothesis, the initial formation of RONS may further trigger the additional activation of RONS formation under certain pathological conditions. The present review specifically focuses on a dysfunctional, uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) caused by RONS in the setting of transportation noise exposure or chronic treatment with organic nitrates, especially nitroglycerin (GTN). We further describe the various "redox switches" that are proposed to be involved in the uncoupling process of eNOS. Critical Issues: In particular, the oxidative depletion of tetrahydrobiopterin and S-glutathionylation of the eNOS reductase domain are highlighted as major pathways for eNOS uncoupling upon noise exposure or GTN treatment. In addition, oxidative disruption of the eNOS dimer, inhibitory phosphorylation of eNOS at the threonine or tyrosine residues, redox-triggered accumulation of asymmetric dimethylarginine, and l-arginine deficiency are discussed as alternative mechanisms of eNOS uncoupling. Future Directions: The clinical consequences of eNOS dysfunction due to uncoupling on cardiovascular disease are summarized also, providing a template for future clinical studies on endothelial dysfunction caused by pharmacological or environmental risk factors.

The combined effect of air and transportation noise pollution on atherosclerotic inflammation and risk of cardiovascular disease events

BackgroundAir pollution and noise exposures individually associate with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) via a mechanism involving arterial inflammation (ArtI); however, their combined impact on ArtI and MACE remains unknown. We tested whether dual (vs. one or neither) exposure associates with greater ArtI and MACE risk and whether MACE risk is mediated via ArtI. MethodsIndividuals (N = 474) without active cancer or known cardiovascular disease with clinical 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging were followed for 5 years for MACE. ArtI was measured. Average air pollution (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm, PM2.5) and transportation noise exposure were determined at individual residences. Higher exposures were defined as noise > 55 dBA (World Health Organization cutoff) and PM2.5 ≥ sample median. ResultsAt baseline, 46%, 46%, and 8% were exposed to high levels of neither, one, or both pollutants; 39 experienced MACE over a median 4.1 years. Exposure to an increasing number of pollutants associated with higher ArtI (standardized β [95% CI: .195 [.052, .339], P = .008) and MACE (HR [95% CI]: 2.897 [1.818–4.615], P < .001). In path analysis, ArtI partially mediated the relationship between pollutant exposures and MACE (P < .05). ConclusionAir pollution and transportation noise exposures contribute incrementally to ArtI and MACE. The mechanism linking dual exposure to MACE involves ArtI.

Social Inequities in Exposure to Traffic-Related Air and Noise Pollution at Public Schools in Texas.

Although children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of vehicular pollution and spend significant portions of their time at school, previous studies have not examined or compared school-level social inequities in exposure to both traffic-related air and noise pollution in the same study area. We addressed this gap through a case study in Texas-the second-largest US state based on total population and number of children. Vehicular pollution exposure was measured using: (1) outdoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a widely used proxy for traffic-related air pollution; and (2) road noise estimates from the US Department of Transportation's National Transportation Noise Mapping Tool. These variables were linked to data on locations and sociodemographic characteristics of children enrolled in Texas public schools. We found children attending schools with the highest exposure to both NO2 and road noise (top 25%) were significantly more likely to be Black, Hispanic, and eligible for free/reduced lunches (socioeconomically deprived). Results from multivariable generalized estimating equations that control for spatial clustering and other relevant factors revealed that schools with greater NO2 exposure were significantly more likely to serve racial/ethnic minority and younger students, while schools with greater exposure to road noise were significantly more likely to serve socioeconomically deprived and older students. These findings underscore the urgent need to reduce both air pollution and noise exposure at school locations, especially in schools attended by higher proportions of socially disadvantaged children that are often additionally burdened with other challenges.

LDP and CLT for SPDEs with transport noise

In this work we consider solutions to stochastic partial differential equations with transport noise, which are known to converge, in a suitable scaling limit, to solution of the corresponding deterministic PDE with an additional viscosity term. Large deviations and Gaussian fluctuations underlying such scaling limit are investigated in two cases of interest: stochastic linear transport equations in dimension D≥2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$D\\ge 2$$\\end{document} and 2D Euler equations in vorticity form. In both cases, a central limit theorem with strong convergence and explicit rate is established. The proofs rely on nontrivial tools, like the solvability of transport equations with supercritical coefficients and Γ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Gamma $$\\end{document}-convergence arguments.

Regularization by Noise of an Averaged Version of the Navier–Stokes Equations

AbstractIn Tao 2016, the author constructs an averaged version of the deterministic three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations (3D NSE) which experiences blow-up in finite time. In the last decades, various works have studied suitable perturbations of ill-behaved deterministic PDEs in order to prevent or delay such behavior. A promising example is given by a particular choice of stochastic transport noise closely studied in Flandoli et al. 2021. We analyze the model in Tao 2016 in view of these results and discuss the regularization skills of this noise in the context of the averaged 3D NSE.

Association between exposure to multiple air pollutants, transportation noise and cause-specific mortality in adults in Switzerland

BackgroundLong-term exposure to air pollution and noise is detrimental to health; but studies that evaluated both remain limited. This study explores associations with natural and cause-specific mortality for a range of air pollutants and transportation noise.MethodsOver 4 million adults in Switzerland were followed from 2000 to 2014. Exposure to PM2.5, PM2.5 components (Cu, Fe, S and Zn), NO2, black carbon (BC) and ozone (O3) from European models, and transportation noise from source-specific Swiss models, were assigned at baseline home addresses. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for individual and area-level covariates, were used to evaluate associations with each exposure and death from natural, cardiovascular (CVD) or non-malignant respiratory disease. Analyses included single and two exposure models, and subset analysis to study lower exposure ranges.ResultsDuring follow-up, 661,534 individuals died of natural causes (36.6% CVD, 6.6% respiratory). All exposures including the PM2.5 components were associated with natural mortality, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.026 (1.015, 1.038) per 5 µg/m3 PM2.5, 1.050 (1.041, 1.059) per 10 µg/m3 NO2, 1.057 (1.048, 1.067) per 0.5 × 10–5/m BC and 1.045 (1.040, 1.049) per 10 dB Lden total transportation noise. NO2, BC, Cu, Fe and noise were consistently associated with CVD and respiratory mortality, whereas PM2.5 was only associated with CVD mortality. Natural mortality associations persisted < 20 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and NO2, < 1.5 10–5/m BC and < 53 dB Lden total transportation noise. The O3 association was inverse for all outcomes. Including noise attenuated all outcome associations, though many remained significant. Across outcomes, noise was robust to adjustment to air pollutants (e.g. natural mortality 1.037 (1.033, 1.042) per 10 dB Lden total transportation noise, after including BC).ConclusionLong-term exposure to air pollution and transportation noise in Switzerland contribute to premature mortality. Considering co-exposures revealed the importance of local traffic-related pollutants such as NO2, BC and transportation noise.

Assessing rail-based environmental noise exposure using CNOSSOS-EU

Since December 2018 a harmonised approach for the assessment of transportation noise, known as CNOSSOS-EU, became obligatory for EU Member States in the calculation of strategic noise mapping. This paper provides an assessment of rail-based environmental noise in Ireland via a comparative analysis of acoustic modelling for rail sources in the Irish context by comparing the CNOSSOS-EU method and the previously utilised interim method RMR-1996 with field measurements. The paper also presents comparative estimates of population exposure calculated using CNOSSOS-EU and RMR-1996. It was found that the results generated by the CNOSSOS-EU model were closer to field measurements when compared to the RMR-1996 model. Noise modelling also indicated that populations estimated to be exposed to levels of railway noise > 55 dB(A) generated by the national rail fleet were higher using CNOSSOS-EU (i.e. 91,692 more persons) relative to the RMR-1996 method. Rail noise generated by the Luas tram rail network generated marginally less population exposure for railway noise > 55 dB(A) (i.e. 2,905 less persons) relative to RMR-1996. As such, the paper contributes to the assessment of the new CNOSSOS-EU model for rail in the EU and addresses the relative lack of research focusing on rail modelling and population exposure estimation under the END. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the extent that populations are exposed to railway noise using CNOSSOS-EU across Europe.

Effects of speed limits introduced to curb road noise on the performance of the urban transport system

IntroductionAround 113 million of EU citizens are affected by road traffic noise which could be harmful Many authorities attempt to limit traffic speed to reduce traffic noise. The purpose of the research is to assess the impact of speed limits aimed at reducing the negative consequences of road noise on the efficiency of the transport system in a city (Łódź, Poland) which faces severe congestion and road noise. Theoretical backgroundSpeed reduction is primarily employed to improve road safety, which is why there are few studies on the impact of speed reduction on road noise within the transport system. MethodTwo traffic models were built to illustrate the impact of traffic speed restrictions on roads where the code currently permits speeds above 50 km/h and along which noise immission violations are observed. The first is a base model representing the current state, while the second shows urban mobility patterns under the assumption that traffic speed has been curbed. The comparison of the results of the above-mentioned models enables the presentation ex-ante of the external costs of the measures applied to reduce transport noise, on the efficiency of the transport system. ResultsSpeed reductions will not disturb the equilibrium of the urban transport system as a whole, as it is able to cope locally with the resulting disruptions. The proposed of road speed limits on the selected roads would have a marginal impact for the level of congestion. ConclusionsThe applied research methods give a good diagnosis in terms of the research goal set. However, to fully estimate their impact on noise reduction, they should be expanded to include analyzes of noise level reduction along those roads where speed limits may be introduced, and to examine the noise levels on those roads that would become alternative routes for road users.

Ensuring Occupational Safety at Railway Transport Operation by Upgrading the Systems of Vibration Damping Plates and Rail Plates

Introduction. Noise and vibration in railway transport is a dangerous type of pollution for both the workers and the environment. It is important to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the effects of noise and vibration pollution on railway transport workers, the environment, and to consider available methods to minimize harmful effects created during the movement of trains. Safety can be achieved by ensuring regulatory noise and vibration levels. The work objective is to assess the safety of work during the operation of railway transport by improving the system of vibration damping pads and rail plates. Materials and Methods. In the course of the study, an analysis of the occurrence of noise and vibration, an assessment of their negative impact on railway transport workers and the environment was carried out. The available methods of noise pollution minimization are considered, the classification of noise and vibration control methods is described. The methods and means required by the regulatory documents on labor safety during the operation of railway transport were used in the work. Results. Based on the results of the study, it follows that there is a need to strengthen measures for comprehensive protection and minimization of harmful factors. The result of the study was the proposal to improve one of the applied methods of noise minimization — the installation of a vibration damping pad, for the production of which secondary raw materials in the form of rubber crumbs are used. The paper calculates the economic efficiency of one of the proposed methods of minimizing noise pollution and describes the positive effect after its application, considers available options for improving the sound absorption of rails. Discussion and Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, the positive economic effect of one of the proposed ways to improve the noise minimization method was revealed.

Noise suppression of transport through double quantum dots by feedback control

A controllable low noise current lies at the heart of high-precision measurements in quantum transport and metrology. While the previous research dealt with the suppression of noise in transport through a tunneling junction or a single quantum dot (QD) device, the present work investigates noise inhibition of a double quantum dot (DQD) transport system based on closed-loop feedback control. The unique advantage of a DQD device is that bidirectional transport at low bias can be measured by a nearby quantum point contact. However, the continuous monitoring of the DQD states inevitably leads to a measurement-induced dephasing. To appropriately characterize its transport properties in the presence of feedback action, we here develop a numerical method dubbed auxiliary density matrix approach, motivated by the hierarchical expansion of the moment-generating function in the hierarchy equations of motion [J. Cerrillo et al., Phys. Rev. B 94, 214308 (2016)]. This generic method has no restriction on the system structure and parameters and is able to evaluate the feedback current cumulants to an arbitrary order. It is revealed that the feedback control of the tunnel coupling between the two dots is the most effective to suppress the noise under various tunnel coupling configurations. The influence of interdot Coulomb interaction, measurement-induced dephasing, and finite time delay on feedback is also analyzed in detail.

The state-of-the-art of practice of traffic noise regulations in Ghana

Noise pollution is one of Ghana’s environmental risks and it has become the norm in metropolitan areas to the point where residents in these locations experience noise nuisance and may be at risk of hearing loss. Most developed and developing countries have established traffic noise standards as a control mechanism to reduce traffic noise exposure emissions. This study aims to investigate current practices of traffic noise regulations and policy. Various agencies responsible for the control of noise pollution and the urban road sector were interviewed about traffic noise standards and practices, and it was observed that these agencies’ noise practices were based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established guidelines, which did not include transportation noise regulation. Except for a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), regulation that allows a certain vehicle horning system for specific vehicle users, this study discovered that this policy is not fully implemented. A preliminary survey was conducted to collect traffic field data and inhabitants’ perceptions of traffic noise. Of the 30 respondents, 26 respondents (86.7%) affirmed that they experience traffic noise pollution at various locations, while 23 respondents (76.7%) reported various health effects due to exposure to traffic noise. This can be related to the observed noise levels which exceeded the dissatisfaction score of 5 (89 dB(A)), and also Leq value (109.1 dB(A)) was greater than the environmental permissible limit of the EPA standard of 70 dB(A). This indicates that roadside residents suffer from noise annoyance. It is recommended that transport, and environmental-related agencies work unanimously to ensure that effective control of traffic noise pollution is developed, enforced, and implemented.

Suicide and Transportation Noise: A Prospective Cohort Study from Switzerland.

Although plausible from a pathophysiological point of view, robust evidence for effects of transportation noise on mental health remains scarce. Meanwhile, psychiatric diseases are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide, and suicide as a mortality outcome highly connected to mental disorders presents a pressing public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between source-specific transportation noise, particulate matter (PM) air pollution, residential greenness, and suicide by means of a nationwide cohort study. Road traffic, railway and aircraft noise exposure as well as exposure to air pollution [PM with aerodynamic diameter ()] and greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)] were linked to 5.1 million adults (age 15 y and older) in the Swiss National Cohort, accounting for their address history. Mean noise exposure in 5-y periods was calculated. Individuals were followed for up to 15 y (2001-2015). Time-varying Cox regression models were applied to deaths by suicide (excluding assisted suicide). Models included all three noise sources, , and NDVI plus individual and spatial covariates, including socioeconomic status. Effect modification by sex, age, socioeconomic indicators, and degree of urbanization was explored. During the follow-up, there were 11,265 suicide deaths (10.4% poisoning, 33.3% hanging, 28.7% firearms, 14.7% falls). Road traffic and railway noise were associated with total suicides [hazard ratios: 1.040; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.015, 1.065; and 1.022 (95% CI: 1.004, 1.041) per 10 dB day-evening-night level (Lden)], whereas for aircraft noise, a risk increase starting from 50 dB was masked by an inverse association in the very low exposure range (30-40 dB). Associations were stronger for females than males. The results were robust to adjustment for residential greenness and air pollution. In this longitudinal, nationwide cohort study, we report a robust association between exposure to road traffic and railway noise and risk of death by suicide after adjusting for exposure to air pollution and greenness. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that mental health disorders may be related to chronic transportation noise exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11587.

Assessing cognitive effects of transportation noise on office workers with physiology and task performance

Noise typically present in offices can negatively impact workers’ mental workload and task performance. This study investigated how transportation noise in open offices when windows are open can influence workers’ task performance, physiology (brain activity, heart rate variability, and skin resistance), and subjective ratings, as previous literature works often show inconclusive results or use unrealistic, simulated acoustic conditions. Subjects were given two cognitive tasks, mental arithmetic and digit span, while wearing three physiological measurement devices: an electroencephalography (EEG) headset, electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors, and electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors. After a baseline measurement, both the physiological markers and task performance were recorded for a training session, a quiet condition, and two transportation noise conditions with sound pressure levels of 50 and 70 dBA, respectively. Recorded rail noise was auralized in an anechoic chamber with a 32-loudspeaker array to simulate transportation noise heard when sitting in an office with an open window. Subjective rating questions regarding the acoustic environment and self-perception of mental workload and performance were administered after each acoustic condition. The effects of different acoustic conditions on cognitive task performance, physiological data, and subjective ratings were analyzed with a repeated measures MANOVA. Findings from this study will be presented.

The Echoes of Noise: Residential Exposure to Traffic and Risk of Tinnitus.

The Echoes of Noise: Residential Exposure to Traffic and Risk of Tinnitus.

Utility and transportation noise modeling

A few case studies regarding public utility and transportation noise are presented. These address concerns regarding the prediction and attenuation of noise from electrical transformers, gas regulators, and interstate highways. Our approach to computer modeling, model adjustments to match measured conditions, and before/after measurements will be presented.

Ground Tests of Rectangular Nozzle with Noise Reduction Devices on Aircraft

The importance of jet noise for prospective supersonic transport (SST) in takeoff and climb modes dictates the need to develop methods for reducing jet noise and their subsequent validation in large- and full-scale tests. This paper presents the results of Russia’s first ground acoustic tests of a rectangular nozzle with a noise suppression system, installed on a subsonic aircraft engine to demonstrate the technology. The authors studied a rectangular beveled nozzle with an ejector and screens—elements of the SST airframe. The test results were compared for three nozzle geometries: a round nozzle corresponding to measurements for the original engine without modifications, a rectangular nozzle without screens, and a rectangular nozzle with screens. It was found that when the rectangular nozzle without screens is used, there two opposite effects occur: noise amplification compared to the round nozzle for angles of observation close to the jet axis, and noise attenuation at angles of observation close to the fan rotation plane. Installing screens increases noise up to 5 dB in the low-frequency region below 150 Hz and reduces noise by 2 dB for frequencies higher than 250 Hz. Estimation of community noise in the EPNL metric showed that this rectangular nozzle with the noise suppression system has the effect of reducing community noise in comparison with the baseline round nozzle.

Use of artificial neural networks to assess train horn noise at a railway level crossing in India

Urban environment noise is a complex mixture of transportation, industrial, household, and recreational noise, which is identified as an emerging environmental threat. Present study monitors and evaluates a noise pollution hotspot: a railway level crossing, where several activities related to transportation noise were involved. Train honking, train movement, road vehicles, and pedestrians contribute to the noise level at a railway level crossing. Train horns are generally performed as train approach railway level crossings and they are mandatorily used to alert road users. However, the train horns are regarded as nuisance to the nearby residents. A detailed evaluation of train horn effectiveness is very much essential in the current contemporary environment. Thus, the main objective of this study is to measure noise levels emanating from train horns at a level crossing with due consideration to train types and climatic conditions. A comprehensive noise monitoring survey was conducted at an access-controlled level crossing. Furthermore, an artificial neural network (ANN)-based railway noise prediction model was developed to forecast maximum ([Formula: see text]) and equivalent (Leq) noise levels. Results revealed that train horn produced impulsive sound signals which fall under high frequency one-third octave bands causing severe irritation to trackside inhabitants. The proposed ANN models produced accurate results for [Formula: see text] and Leq noise levels and this model is identified as a vital tool for railway noise abatement. The results from this study are helpful to the urban planning and development authorities to implement strategic laws and policies to eradicate the urban environment noise.

Dissipation Properties of Transport Noise in the Two-Layer Quasi-geostrophic Model

A stochastic version of the two-layer quasi-geostrophic model (2LQG) with multiplicative transport noise is analysed. This popular intermediate complexity model describes large scale atmosphere and ocean dynamics at the mid-latitudes. The transport noise, which acts on both layers, accounts for the unresolved small scales. After establishing the well-posedness of the perturbed equations, we show that, under a suitable scaling of the noise, the solutions converge to the deterministic 2LQG model with enhanced dissipation. Moreover, these solutions converge to the deterministic stationary ones on the long time horizon.