Anthropogenic Noise Mapping of a Periurban Natural Park on the Coastal Area in the SW of Spain: Case Study of Bird's Ecosystem Protection

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 1015-1025
Author(s):  
José Luis Cueto ◽  
David Bienvenido-Huertas ◽  
Francisco Fernández-Zacarías ◽  
Ricardo Gey ◽  
Ricardo Hernández-Molina

This article presents a methodological approach to try to respond to some of the protection and management needs against the noise of a peri-urban natural park. The methodology presented is based on the generation of "ad hoc" noise maps. To analyze its possibilities and the limits of use, a coastal park surrounded by a densely populated area in the southwest of Spain is used as a case study. In this study, birds in their diverse ecosystems are the main target noise receiver of the study. The source of noise pollution considered is the traffic noise of the highways and the urbanized areas surrounding the park. However, the methodology can be extrapolated to any source of noise and other protection figures. An adequate diagnosis of the environmental noise would help to overcome the supposed incompatibility between the preservation of nature and the tourist exploitation of natural spaces. With this in mind, it has also been proposed as target noise receivers, the ornithologists and visitors who wish to become bird-watchers and bird-listeners. To this end, it has been proposed to produce noise maps with certain methodological guidelines that fit on a case-by-case basis. Several heights are used in this paper, adapting the map to noise receivers. With the same purpose, noise level maps in octave bands were developed. The tonal frequencies of interest are those that the birds use in their songs (according to the species, normally between 2 and 8 kHz). The maps have been contrasted with noise measurements carried out throughout the park. The study shows that in the areas most exposed to the noise of the Rio San Pedro and the university campus, noise levels at 2 kHz can reach 74 dB during the peak traffic hours. In addition, a large percentage of the area of both areas is affected by noise levels that exceed 50 dB (100% and 44% respectively). We are also concerned that a small population of birds has been counted in these areas based on preliminary observations at peak traffic times. The results can help the decision-makers to evaluate how traffic noise invades different ecosystems and where it can mask the sound of birds.

Author(s):  
R. Dubey ◽  
S. Bharadwaj ◽  
M. I. Zafar ◽  
V. Bhushan Sharma ◽  
S. Biswas

Abstract. Noise pollution is considered to be one of the most prevalent environmental challenges affecting human health. Noise pollution is increasing in cities needing techniques to monitor and predict the noise. The monitoring of traffic noise levels in different parts of the cities at different times has become very difficult due to logistic constraints. It is thus required to measure the noise levels at certain strategic locations, such as, near the noise sources (e.g., roads), and then to utilize it to predict the noise levels at surrounding locations. The challenge of monitoring the noise near several road crossings in a city can be reduced using a smartphone-based noise monitoring technique. However, the prediction of noise levels and showcase it as maps require terrain data, noise data, and noise prediction models. The requirement of terrain data can be met using open-source terrain data, from which various terrain parameters can be extracted and integrated with a standard prediction model on the web platform to predict the noise map for an area. Smartphone-based noise monitoring and its subsequent mapping can be a very popular and effective option, which uses a crowdsourcing approach. The entire methodology is tried to be applied over Lucknow city in India. Noise levels are monitored at three different slots, daily, over 14 road crossings using the smartphone-based app. Further, collected noise levels were calibrated against standard noise meter to ascertain accurate noise levels for these locations. Thereafter, three categories of noise environments are chosen from it and mapped using open-source satellite images and standard noise models, over the web on the GIS platform. The predicted noise levels on the maps were verified with the recorded noise data from similar locations using standard noise meter. For these three crossings at different times the predictions are found to be accurate within ±4.5 dB.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc Alías ◽  
Ferran Orga ◽  
Rosa Ma Alsina-Pagès ◽  
Joan Claudi Socoró

Environmental noise can be defined as the accumulation of noise pollution caused by sounds generated by outdoor human activities, Road Traffic Noise (RTN) being the main source in urban and suburban areas. To address the negative effects of environmental noise on public health, the European Environmental Noise Directive requires EU member states to tailor noise maps and define the corresponding action plans every five years for major agglomerations and key infrastructures. Noise maps have been hitherto created from expert-based measurements, after cleaning the recorded acoustic data of undesired acoustic events, or Anomalous Noise Events (ANEs). In recent years, Wireless Acoustic Sensor Networks (WASNs) have become an alternative. However, most of the proposals focus on measuring global noise levels without taking into account the presence of ANEs. The LIFE DYNAMAP project has developed a WASN-based dynamic noise mapping system to analyze the acoustic impact of road infrastructures in real time based solely on RTN levels. After studying the bias caused by individual ANEs on the computation of the A-weighted equivalent noise levels through an expert-based dataset obtained before installing the sensor networks, this work evaluates the aggregate impact of the ANEs on the RTN measurements in a real-operation environment. To that effect, 304 h and 20 min of labeled acoustic data collected through the two WASNs deployed in both pilot areas have been analyzed, computing the individual and aggregate impacts of ANEs for each sensor location and impact range (low, medium and high) for a 5 min integration time. The study shows the regular occurrence of ANEs when monitoring RTN levels in both acoustic environments, which are especially common in the urban area. Moreover, the results reveal that the aggregate contribution of low- and medium-impact ANEs can become as critical as the presence of high-impact individual ANEs, thus highlighting the importance of their automatic removal to obtain reliable WASN-based RTN maps in real-operation environments.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
WAZIR ALAM ◽  
Ramtharmawi Nungate

Abstract Noise pollution assessment was carried out in selected traffic junctions of Imphal city of Manipur, India. The noise pollution assessment was carried out using noise parameters and indices such as L10, L50, L90, Leq for selected traffic junctions during the different periods of the day, i.e., morning, noon, and evening hours. The study of equivalent noise level (Leq), noise parameters, and various noise indices have enabled the evaluation of the overall traffic noise environment of the city. The traffic noise indices such as traffic noise index (TNI), noise climate (NC), traffic noise pollution level (LNP), noise exposure index (NEI) along with day time (LD), night time (LN) average, and day-night (Ldn) noise levels were assessed for the selected traffic junctions. Moreover, spatial noise mapping was carried out using the geostatistical interpolation technique to evaluate the changes of traffic noise scenarios during the different time zones of the day. The Leq values in few traffic junctions exceeded the required noise standards. The study shows equivalent noise level ranging between 52.2–69.9 dB(A) during the morning (7–10 am), 52.4–69.3 dB(A) during noon (12 noon-2 pm), and 54.6–71.1 dB(A) during the evening (4–7 pm) hours, respectively.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 075-082
Author(s):  
Janusz Bohatkiewicz

Exposure to traffic noise belongs to the most harmful impacts affecting people who live in towns. Nearly one third of residents of big towns in Poland suffers from permanent exposure to traffic noise, which may have adverse effects on health. The same refers to most European cities. The problems of noise is regulated by identical legislation in the EU and in Poland. Noise control in big towns arises from regulations related to obligatory provision of noise mapping and noise control plans. The plans contain, among other things, site-specific methods of protection against traffic noise. Those sites are defined by means of the “M” index, whose value is the higher the more people live in the area and the more permissible noise levels are exceeded. The noise control plans prepared to-date contain a range of methods and measures aimed at ensuring protection against traffic noise. In many cases those methods are nothing but improvised response and are not effective enough in towns, for example noise barriers. Results of pilot research indicates that comprehensive physical traffic calming measures may prove to be an effective and long lasting noise control solution in the surrounding of streets in urban areas. Physical traffic calming may be more effective than the measures commonly used so far which does not require additional land acquisition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Ilić ◽  
Dragana Nešković Markić ◽  
Ljiljana Stojanović Bjelić

Noise pollution, as a major environmental problem, is present in Banja Luka. The measured values exceeded the level of noise allowed, which is a great problem. Evaluation of the noise levels was carried out in the streets in the area with health institutions. Objectives of this research were to evaluate the environmental noise pollution in the City of Banja Luka due to traffic noise and to compare the measured noise levels in the city with legislation and to establish the connection between noise and the number of vehicles. Correlation between the noise level and number of vehicles was positive and significant during the study period (r=0.89). It is confirmed that, with the increase of the number of vehicle, the noise level increases, i.e. the decrease in the number of vehicle decreases the noise level.


Author(s):  
Candan Kus Sahin ◽  
Busra Onay ◽  
Beyza Sava

The sustainable landscpe design is a strategic framework in city planning and urban recreational areas, important for the quality of life of an increasingly urbanized society. This study deals with a better understanding of visitors demand and noise properties of Ayazmana promenade area, located in Isparta city center, Turkiye. The approach in the study is an exploration one with a base in site observations, interviews and survey. However, the average noise levels of the area was measured between 43.1 to 58.1 dB(A) in Autumn and 50.2 to 62.0 dB(A) in Spring, respectively. The recreational characteristics of Ayazmana promenade area were further evaluated with survey methodology on total of 100 respondents. Moreover, majority of participants (79) reported to be visiting of that promenade area for cheating with friends, followed by 78 for traveling, 70 for walking, 65 for sitting in green open spaces and for picnic, 57 for listening music and 53 for sporting activities, respectively. It is noticeable that most of the respondents (92%) were described the Ayazmana promenade area is somewhat noisy. At the end of survey study, it was requested to assessed the Ayazmana promenade area with some suggestions by respondents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Božić ◽  
Predrag Ilić ◽  
Ljiljana Stojanović Bjelić

Noise pollution is one of the main environmental problems today.The main source of environmental noise is traffic noise, especially the noise of road vehicles. The continuing expansion of motorized transport in Europe and Republic of Srpska today, and especially the sharp increase in the use of private cars raises concerns about the health risks.The aim of the case study was to determine the noise level at the location „Borik“ in Banja Luka. The measured values indicate that the noise level in this street is alarming. This paper discusses health and well-being related impacts of traffic noise pollution as well as the economic and social benefits associated with its reduction. It summarizes the latest scientific evidence on the impact of road traffic-induced noise on physical and mental health as a reaction to the high level of traffic noise risks. According to the scientific evidence, road traffic is the main source of noise pollution in Europe that cause harmful health such as impaired communication and disturbed sleep, as well as adverse after effects such as fatigue and decreased performance, annoyance, hearing impairment, ischemic heart disease and hypertension. The effects of unhealthy noise level are reflected on living and working conditions, consequently affecting the economy.This paper highlights economic implications and health benefits linked to cross-functionalities in the process of noise reduction in urbanism, architecture and vehicle design and methods for its evaluation. Cost-benefit analysis would be a pivotal decision-making tool for the city road traffic and land-use decisions. Economic valuation is about identifying all preferences and translating them into a money measure, to create a common denominator for comparing the pros and cons. Any decision implicitly include a money value into health effects. A holistic approach is crucial, considering the various health and economic consequences together.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 12007
Author(s):  
Pertiwi Andarani ◽  
Haryono Setiyo Huboyo ◽  
Diny Setyanti ◽  
Wiwik Budiawan

Noise is considered as one of the main environmental impact of Adi Soemarmo International Airport (ASIA), the second largest airport in Central Java Province, Indonesia. In order to manage the noise of airport, airport noise mapping is necessary. However, a model that requires simple input but still reliable was not available in ASIA. Therefore, the objective of this study are to develop model using Matlab software, to verify its reliability by measuring actual noise exposure, and to analyze the area of noise levels‥ The model was developed based on interpolation or extrapolation of identified Noise-Power-Distance (NPD) data. In accordance with Indonesian Government Ordinance No.40/2012, the noise metric used is WECPNL (Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level). Based on this model simulation, there are residence area in the region of noise level II (1.912 km2) and III (1.16 km2) and 18 school buildings in the area of noise levels I, II, and III. These land-uses are actually prohibited unless noise insulation is equipped. The model using Matlab in the case of Adi Soemarmo International Airport is valid based on comparison of the field measurement (6 sampling points). However, it is important to validate the model again once the case study (the airport) is changed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-296
Author(s):  
Valentin Petrescu ◽  
Rodica Ciudin ◽  
Claudiu Isarie ◽  
Lucian Ionel Cioca ◽  
Victor Nederita

AbstractNoise reduction for urban areas, especially noise generated by traffic is one of the major problems in today’s European cities. This paper is focused on more aspects that are addressing to traffic noise, like pavement, driver’s behavior, frequency of stops, pick hours, traffic agglomerations, etc. Research leading to this paper was conducted within the project “Adaptation to the Climate Change” developed in partnership with Environmental protection Agency Sibiu, focusing for this case study on traffic related pollution in a historical city center of Sibiu. Were considered three types of pavements (cobblestones, streets covered with dense asphalt, and graded asphalt road surfaces), three types of vehicles (small passenger car, family car and SUV), and testing’s were done using 3M Quest SoundPro Sonometer. Higher noise levels were registered for cobblestone and dense asphalt surfaces. Acoustic measurements and maps emphasizing studied are presented, and the identified parameters considered to be related to the traffic noise are given.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Monazzam ◽  
Elham Karimi ◽  
Majid Abbaspour ◽  
Parvin Nassiri ◽  
Lobat Taghavi

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