Study of traffic noise exposure on street and road networks in a megapolis

Abstract

The article analyses the regularities of the acoustic impact of motor transport on the inhabited territory of a large city. It is noted that noise from motor transport has a noticeable negative impact on human health, especially in large cities, industrial centres and transport hubs. The results of field research on automobile noise level are presented in sections of a road network of a large city characterised by a high level of road accidents. Accident sites are shown to be characterised by high values of the equivalent level of sound and exposure to traffic noise. The values of equivalent sound level in the investigated sections during the period of maximum intensity of traffic significantly exceed the maximum permissible level. Exposure values of vehicular noise to which road users as well as residents of nearby neighbourhoods are exposed on the studied sections of the street and road network vary in the range from 1-3 to 320 Pa2∙s. The results of the correlation and regression analysis are presented. Measures are proposed to reduce the degree of acoustic load caused by road transport in the residential area.