Analysis of Noise Descriptors and Traffic Noise Indices in Conjunction with Traffic Flow and their Correlation in an Urban Traffic Environment

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IJEP 45(4): 295-306 : Vol. 45 Issue. 4 (April 2025)

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Prateek Bhardwaj and Surinder Deswal*

National Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, Kurukshetra – 136 119, Haryana, India

Abstract

Noise levels and traffic flow were recorded simultaneously during the day at 19 locations along the four major arterial roads of the Kurukshetra city in India. The Leq,2h analysis revealed a cyclic pattern with noise crests and troughs over 24 hr, thus identifying the peak and lean noise periods. The day-time and night-time noise levels (LD and LN), as well as day-night and day-evening-night average noise levels (LDN and LDeN) exceeded the permissible levels as per Indian and/or WHO guidelines at most of the sites. The noise pollution level (NP) and traffic noise index (TNI) for the day exceeded the permissible limits of 88 dB(A) and 74 dB(A), respectively at all sites. The highly annoyed (HA) persons due to road traffic noise was in the range of 23.40-62.34%. Passenger car unit (PCU)/hr exhibited a very strong correlation with Leq,24h, LDN and LDEN. The proposed mathematical models revealed a strong logarithmic relationship between them (R2= 0.8774 to 0.9309; e= -00003 to -0.0005; RMSE = 1.07 to 3.92;  r= 0.94 to 0.96). Thus, it shows the potential of PCU/hr in predicting standard noise level indices and highly annoyed persons in the case of urban arterial road traffic. The study revealed that high noise levels due to traffic congestion and lack of traffic management in the city have the potential to cause adverse health effects to exposed persons.

Keywords

Noise levels, Equivalent sound pressure levels, Noise climate, Traffic noise index, Passenger car unit

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