Multi-Faceted Analysis of Airborne Noise Impact in the Port of Split (I)

Abstract

This multi-faceted study deals with the analysis of the impact of noise emissions from the cargo terminals in the port of Split, especially in view of the proximity to inhabited areas and the growing number of registered issues and concerns due to its particular location. Three objectives are pursued: the identification of noise sources in the port area, an overview of strategic noise maps and simulations of noise propagation from ships at berth, and the calculation of external costs of noise pollution. In the first, preliminary part of the research project, by conducting a monitoring campaign and analyzing the data on strategic noise maps of the studied area, road and rail traffic were estimated as the main noise sources causing excessive noise emissions for all assessment periods: day (Lday), evening (Levening), night (Lnight), and day-evening-night (Lden) period. Industrial resources, including ports, were identified as having marginal noise emission levels. The calculation of the total external noise costs results in a damage value of €190,166/year, considering the number of affected inhabitants and the assumed noise levels. As an added value of the study, the simulation results of two scenarios have determined the noise propagation of a ship at berth and highlighted the zone of excessive noise under certain conditions. The results of this study should encourage the relevant institutions to strengthen noise management plans and introduce effective and continuous monitoring of noise emissions in critical areas.