Study of Traffic Noise in the City Agartala

Abstract

This paper refers to a study of the impact of road traffic noise in a heterogeneous traffic flow condition in the city Agartala. The traffic noise levels were monitored using sound level meter SL-4001 everyday at 48 locations for 7 days and simultaneous measurements were done regarding vehicle flow, spot speed and distance of residence from the road. The measured noise levels were further converted to equivalent noise level (Leq) using a formula prescribed by Indian Standard Code. Every acoustical parameter were averaged based on 7 days record. Analyses showed that the Leq and maximum noise levels (MNLs) exceed the maximum acceptable standard limit 55 dB (A) for the residential areas at about 80% and 100% of the measuring sites, respectively. There exist strong correlations between MNL values and Leq (rxy = 0.980); MNL and L20 (rxy = 0.987); and Leq and L20 (rxy = 0.976). The co-variation between MNL and Leq is very negligible at different locations during different times. This illustrates that MNL as an acoustical parameter is not different from both Leq and L20. Hence, Leq, can also be expressed in terms of MNL or L20 in this type of traffic flow condition.

Keywords: Traffic noise, Noise indices, Heterogeneous traffic flow