Assessing noise pollution mainly from public transport and other motorists.
ABSTRACT 2
INTRODUCTION 3
PROJECT PLAN- NOISE POLLUTION 4
TABLES SHOWING THE READING TAKEN AT THE PRINCE OF WALES ROAD JUNCTION WITH HARBOROUGH AVENUE ON SUNDAY 6
TABLES SHOWING THE READING TAKEN AT THE PRINCE OF WALES ROAD JUNCTION WITH HARBOROUGH AVENUE ON SUNDAY CONT'D 7
TABLES SHOWING THE READING TAKEN AT THE PRINCE OF WALES ROAD JUNCTION WITH HARBOROUGH AVENUE ON THURSDAY 9
SUMMARY STATISTICS T-TEST AND GRAPHS 10
MAP OF PRINCE OF WALES ROAD & HARBOROUGH AVENUE JUNCTION 17
OBSERVATIONS 18
EVALUATION 20
INTERPRETATION 21
CONCLUSION 22
BIBLIOGRAPHY 23
Abstract
Noise and sound are physically the same; differences arise in their acoustic quality as perceived by listeners. This leads to a definition of noise as undesired sound. The noise level of road traffic has always been difficult to quantify in terms of tolerance. This is due to individuals having a considerable difference in tolerance to noise levels, and different types of noise vary considerably.
Most road traffic noise in urban areas may result from a number of different things i.e. engine and transmission noise etc.
Traffic noise in urban areas is on the increase and is worsen by the fact that, because of the higher standards of living in this country, nearly everyone has a vehicle.
This study was aimed at accessing noise pollution in an urban area, showing that noise levels in the chosen sight was particularly high, and that it was coming mainly from transport. However was it mainly down to the traffic itself, perhaps the road itself needed to be taken into consideration. It has been recognised for some time that although concrete roads are strong and durable, traffic produces more noise when travelling on them than on conventional, so-called black top roads. On inspection it was found that the road was not concrete but the black top/tar road.
The site that was chosen, is at a junction where Harborough Avenue meets Prince of Wales Road (See map, indicated by red arrows). This site was chosen as it was a route taken by the investigator daily, and the noise generated by vehicles was of particular interest. Also members of the community often spoke of the noise coming from nearby traffic as annoying and causing distress at times.
The traffic at this particular site is relatively heavy as it a 4 word intersection within a concentrated urban area. This route in particular acts as a link between Northeast Sheffield and Southeast Sheffield, which would explain the degree of traffic that develops at this site.
A number of readings were taken then averaged to give the variables seen as seen in Figures 1.1-1.16. The readings were taken using a noise metre. Readings were taken in the mornings Wednesdays and Thursdays at approximately 8:00 am a number of times to give the figures seen on page. Further readings were taken on Sundays but only in the evening at approximately 5:00 pm onwards. Readings were taken at every 10 metres up to 40 metres. Readings were then recorded and the information placed in tables.
From this study the results revealed that there are relatively high levels of traffic noise in this area. The noise subsided as readings were taken further away from the junction. At one point there was 0 dB, but overall noise was high.
Introduction
For the Environmental Science Project, I have chosen Noise Pollution. The area concentrated on in this study, is noise pollution mainly from public transport and other motorists. The research was done in urban area of Prince of Wales Road at the Harborough Avenue junction. This topic was chosen as it was an area which I found interesting, as I am personally affected by noise pollution in my area of living, and wanted to see just how affected was the community by this problem. I wanted to find out if there was any noise pollution in that area, and if so were residents living at that junction more affected by the noise coming mainly from the traffic i.e. is it a problem.
Noise pollution has always been a problem in Britain, how we control and deal with it is not only up to us as citizens, but also a government issue. One of the reasons for noise pollution might be due to the fact that modern Britain has experienced a massive increase in transport. Each year more vehicles are being used more frequently and this has a clear impact on the environment and the society.
Noise pollution is an increasingly omnipresent, yet underestimated form of pollution. Long periods of exposure to relatively low levels of noise, can have adverse effects on human health, such as raised blood pressure, hypertension, disruptive sleep and cognitive development in children, diminished memory working span, and psychiatric disorders.
An estimated 80 million people suffer unacceptably levels of continuous outdoor transport noise within the EU (New Scientists 1998).
Research into the effects of noise on human health indicates that people experiencing high noise levels (especially around airports or along road/rail corridors) differ from those with less noise exposure in terms of: increased number of headaches, greater susceptibility to minor accidents, increased reliance on sedatives and sleeping pills, increased mental hospital admission rates. There is fairly consistent evidence that prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 80dB (A) can cause deafness. The amount of deafness depends ...
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An estimated 80 million people suffer unacceptably levels of continuous outdoor transport noise within the EU (New Scientists 1998).
Research into the effects of noise on human health indicates that people experiencing high noise levels (especially around airports or along road/rail corridors) differ from those with less noise exposure in terms of: increased number of headaches, greater susceptibility to minor accidents, increased reliance on sedatives and sleeping pills, increased mental hospital admission rates. There is fairly consistent evidence that prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 80dB (A) can cause deafness. The amount of deafness depends upon the degree of exposure.
The World Health Organisation states that "to protect majority of people from being seriously annoyed during the day-time, the pressure levels on terraces, balconies, out door living areas should not exceed 55dB ?Aeq for a steady continuous noise"...."At night, sound pressure levels at the outside façade of living spaces should not exceed 45dB ?Aeq and 60?Amax, so that people may sleep with bed room windows open.
The National Noise Incidence Study has found that 54?3% of the population of the UK live in dwelling exposed to daytime noise levels above the World Health Organisation (WHO) level of 55 dB. Similarly it has found that 67?3% of the population live in dwellings exposed to night time noise levels above the WHO of 45 dB.
Project Plan- Noise Pollution
Aim-
The aim of this project is to show that the noise level in urban areas in particular just along Prince of Wales Road is relatively high. The contribution of the noise is coming mainly from transport, in particular; public transports i.e. Buses and delivery trucks.
Hypothesis-
Individuals living closer to the junction at Harborough Avenue will experience higher levels of noise pollution than those living further away will.
Method-
The method I will use to carry out my investigation is as follows:
. Noise levels will be measured every 10 metres away from the chosen site
and then recorded. I have chosen to do this because at 100 metres the noise level was too low to be recorded.
2. Noise level measurement will last 1 minute each and then the highest value will be recorded for each encounter. I have chosen 1 minute because less than that time would not have been enough also I wanted to get the recordings each time so I did not increase the time limit.
3. The measurements will be carried out at least twice a week so as to get an unbiased collection of data. I have chosen Wednesdays and Thursdays at approximately 8:00am. During this time traffic can sometimes is at its peak and this part of the day normally experiences high level of noise pollution. Measurements are also taken again in the evenings at approximately 7pm when the traffic is again at its peak caused by commuters etc. I later on decided to also carry out the investigations on weekends i.e. Saturdays and Sundays as I thought the traffic and noise levels would not be as high as it is during the week, this would give me a balanced collection of data.
4. Note will also be taken of vehicles which produce the highest level of noise. This would indicate whether or not bigger vehicles actually produce higher noise levels than other transports.
5. The apparatus that I will use during my investigation is a noise metre, which measures noise/sound in decibels. I have chosen this instrument, as it is the only instrument available to carry out my investigation. It is easy to use and the results are also easy to read.
The data will then be re-written in the order of:
Location
Different levels of noise at every 10 metres
The highest level of noise coming from different vehicles
The time of day when noise levels are highest
The results will then be analysed and a conclusion is drawn.
Justification of method-
I have chosen this strategy as I thought it would give precise and unbiased results and it is also more efficient. The results will be easy to compare, easy to communicate and less likely to be misunderstood.
Actual Methodology-
. The reading will be taken from the north and west side of the road. Using a tape measure, count 10 metres away from the corner of the road facing the traffic. This can either be from West or north side first. Pointing the noise meter towards the traffic for one minute, using metre to hold a record of the highest sound. This will be done four times at 10 metres away from traffic.
2. After taking down the four highest readings, use the tape measure to count another 10 metres away from the point at which one stood earlier. A chalk cab be used to mark this area so remember the right place if one moves. Repeat as with stage one, pointing the meter towards the traffic for 1 minute and record the highest sound.
3. At all times when recording, notes will be taken of the vehicles that are producing the loudest noise.
Null Hypothesis-
There is a significant difference between the North side of the road and the West side; the west side being Harborough Avenue and the north side Prince of Wales Road.
Tables Showing the Reading Taken at The Prince of Wales Road Junction with Harborough Avenue on Sunday
Metres
dB
dB
dB
dB
0
40
80
60
60
20
57
86
98
70
30
90
83
77
60
40
50
69
40
40
Figure 1.1: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Sunday 5:00 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres
dB
dB
dB
dB
0
77
80
66
70
20
67
85
02
60
30
75
50
71
50
40
84
72
80
60
Figure 1.2: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Sunday 5:30 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres
dB
dB
dB
dB
0
60
80
70
40
20
90
90
60
50
30
60
75
50
60
40
50
40
70
0
Figure 1.3: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Sunday 6:00 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres
dB
dB
dB
dB
0
00
90
70
84
20
67
55
90
50
30
50
60
75
50
40
50
45
75
60
Figure1.4: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Sunday 6:30 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
This is an example of what data was collected and how it is recorded before the results are calculated and averaged. When the average is calculated then the results will be rounded to the nearest whole number. This is much easier to show on a graph. Though this was done for each data collected, it will not be shown for all the data collected.
Tables Showing the Reading Taken at The Prince of Wales Road Junction with Harborough Avenue on Sunday cont'd
Metres Average Decibels
0m 60dB
20m 78dB
30m 78dB
40m 50dB
Figure 1.5: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Sunday 5:00 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 73dB
20m 79dB
30m 62dB
40m 74dB
Figure 1.6: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Sunday 5:30 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 75dB
20m 72dB
30m 61dB
40m 40dB
Figure 1.7: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Sunday 6:00 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 86dB
20m 66dB
30m 59dB
40m 59dB
Figure 1.8: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Sunday 6:30 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Tables Showing the Reading Taken at The Prince of Wales Road Junction with Harborough Avenue on Wednesday
Metres Average Decibels
0m 85dB
20m 70dB
30m 50dB
40m 0dB
Figure 1.9: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Wednesday 8:00 a.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 90dB
20m 85dB
30m 50dB
40m 50dB
Figure 1.10: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Wednesday 8:30 a.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 100dB
20m 95dB
30m 80dB
40m 60dB
Figure 1.11: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Wednesday 6:00 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 95dB
20m 85dB
30m 70dB
40m 45dB
Figure 1.12: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Wednesday 6:30 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Tables Showing the Reading Taken at The Prince of Wales Road Junction with Harborough Avenue on Thursday
Metres Average Decibels
0m 93dB
20m 75dB
30m 55dB
40m 46dB
Figure 1.13: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Thursday 8:00 a.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 87dB
20m 66dB
30m 70dB
40m 40dB
Figure 1.14: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Thursday 8:30 a.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 95dB
20m 90dB
30m 75dB
40m 50dB
Figure 1.15: Records Taken On The West Side Of Road On Thursday 6:00 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Metres Average Decibels
0m 96dB
20m 83dB
30m 67dB
40m 41dB
Figure 1.16: Records Taken On The North Side Of Road On Thursday 6:30 p.m.
Noise Level Taken at Every 10 Metres
Summary Statistics T-Test and Graphs
Step1.
XN
XW
XN-xn
XW-xw
(XN-xn)2
(XW-xw)2
93.95
92
-2.39
-22
5.71
484
82.25
79.75
-12.2
-9.75
48.84
95.06
65
64.25
5.05
5.75
25.5
33.06
39
44
31.05
26
964.1
676
70.05
70
144.15
288.12
Step2. Calculate variances
1144.15 1288.12
4-1 4-1
=381.38 =429.37
Step3. Difference between means
144.15-1288.12
= -143.97
Step4. Calculate T
-143.97
?381.38 + 429.37
4 4
= -143.97
?95.35 + 107.34
= -143.97
?202.69
= -143.97
14.24
= -10.11
Step5. Determine degrees of freedom
Number of samples taken
4+4-2 = 6
The degree of freedom is 6. When the T-table is consulted for the critical T value, it showed 2,447 (95%) and 3.707 (99%). This shows that there is a difference in the noise levels coming from the North side of the road to the West side.
Map of Prince of Wales Road & Harborough Avenue junction
. Do have double-glazed windows throughout your house?
(Yes) (No)
2. If yes, does noise coming from nearby traffic still affect your household?
(Yes) (No)
3. If no, do you find the noise levels from the traffic?
(Unacceptable) (Just bearable) (Not affected)
4. When do you find the noise is at its highest level?
(Mornings) (Evenings) (Nights)
5. Is the noise in your area generally from traffic or from the following?
(Noisy neighbours) (Dogs barking) (Traffic)
Observations
During the investigation, highest noise levels were recorded from vehicles such as delivery trucks, trailers, and old buses. The noise levels for these vehicles averaged around 90-96 decibels. The readings were sometimes distorted by, pedestrians shouting, and the tooting of horns by motorists. As this was not the particular noise pollution being tested, readings had to be taken over whenever this occurred causing the procedure to last longer than expected.
Noise levels were also always highest at 10 metres away as expected, and lowest at 40 metres away. This information can be seen on the graphs presented. However at one point during the in the investigation, readings at 40 metres on the North Side of the road were continuously 0 decibel. This may have been due to the distance at which readings were being taken and also the flow of traffic being subsided. The traffic was now mainly on the West Side of the road.
The graphs show that noise levels from the junction decrease at every 10 metres taken. After 40 metres, the noise levels subsided to a point where readings could not be taken. For this reason, after 40 metres the investigation was abandoned.
Evaluation
The investigation was overall successful in meeting the objective of chosen project.
The recordings taken were helped proved the hypothesis that there would we higher noise levels closer to the junction, and decreases as one moved further away.
Prince of Wales road and the Harborough avenue junction was an ideal site as it was easy to get to and did not pose hazardous or harmful in any way.
During the investigation, the weather tended to affect the readings. This was a problem at first, when the noise metre got too cold the needle did not move or for very loud noises it would not go beyond a certain decibel. Taking the readings in a warmer weather solved this. During this stage all the readings had to be taken over so as not to get a biased recording.
Including a questionnaire could probably have enhanced the project. Doing this would have given the community's view on the level of noise coming from the traffic and made the results more plausible.
The methodology chosen to carry out this investigation was appropriate for collecting the data needed to complete this assignment. There was no alternative that may have been used, as the noise metre is the only thing that can be used to do the measurement and was all that was available.
The amount of data collected was useful in proving the hypothesis, however the task was made difficult at times by the seasonal changes in the weather as mentioned above. The way the data is set out is very comprehensible and easy to follow.
The only set back for the investigation was, after 40 metres the noise levels coming from the junction subsided to a point where readings could not be picked up. Other forms of noise did make the needle move but as those were not being investigated it was abandoned.
Further studies were taken such as how the speed of traffic may have affected the levels of noise made. It was found than when cars appeared to be travelling at a faster rate, they noise was high pitched and sometimes the needle moved to the very last values; readings of 120dB and over were recorded. This may have meant that the sound created had a higher range than what was the highest number of decibels on the noise meter. A small study was done to see how long on average cars waited at the stop lights-it was found to be approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes. This allowed me to get a good record of the noise level as the investigation measured noise for 1 minute at a time. Noise levels however did not peak when the vehicles were stationary, so there would be no need to suggest that the engine should be switched off. Also it would have been rather difficult to persuade the motorist to shut their engines off whilst the sound was measured.
Interpretation
It has already been established that 55dB is the level at which noise/nuisance is created so far in my studies, the area in which the investigation took place showed that there was a considerably amount of noise pollution being created. This was not only seen during the week but on Sundays, which I expected would have been the quietest or least noise made. The results of the investigations showed overall, that as noise was measured at every 10 metres further away from the cross section, the noise levels tended to decrease. This evidence was recorded and shown in Figure 1.1-1.16. In one case the average noise level furthest away from the junction at 40 metres was higher than 1 dB higher than at 10 metres. This can be seen from graph Sunday 5:30 pm. This may have been because on that route heavy traffic normal from westerly part of the junction, so moving further way from the junction would mean going closer in the direction on oncoming vehicles.
The highest average noise level recorded was 100dB. This means that on average people living at or near the Prince of Wales and Harborough Road junction, are exposed to noise of this level every week. Prolonged exposure to sounds above about 90 dB can permanently damage the sensitive mechanism of the inner ear. However those with double glazed windows will not be as affected as those with the standardised windows. As this junction is a main travel route it will have heavy traffic everyday and residents will be exposed to car fumes/emissions that are bad for their health. This may become worse in the summer when the windows and doors are left open due to the heat.
Continuous exposure to these elements for these residents is hard to define when no research was done to see if their health was at all affected.
Results from T-test
The results from the T-test showed that there is a difference in the average noise levels coming from both the west and the north side of the junction, therefore the null hypothesis is accepted.
Conclusion
Facts about noise in general:
. 32 million people in the UK are exposed to high levels of noise, according to Government figures.
2. Britain's cities are up to 10 times noisier than a decade ago. (Sheffield University study)
3. The tranquil areas in the countryside are fast disappearing. Noise blights the quality of life for millions of people, particularly those living beside busy roads or under flight paths. (UKNA Noise and Liveability: The Odd Couple)
4. It is estimated that 2.5 million people live in homes with bad sound insulation. (UKNA A sound solution)
5. Noise harms more than our ears. Studies have correlated noise with physiological changes in sleep, blood pressure and digestion (Noise & Health leaflet League for the Hard of Hearing, NY)
Upon completion of my investigation I found that, I have completed my objective of researching into urban noise pollution in my own area of living. I found that the noise levels that were recorded, was considerably high. However, this was expected as the site chosen was a route that a main road junction. The area was residential and further study including actually asking how the residents felt about the noise and how it affected them were taken into consideration but in the end was not carried out.
This would have aided my aim in showing that noise in that particular area was high. It was also interesting to find to my dismay that noise levels on the weekend (Sunday) was relatively high. The graphs showed no major difference when compared to graphs during the week.
Bibliography
www.Defra.gov.uk
Environmental Science-A global concern
Cunningham Saigo-Fourth Edition
Environmental Science- Noise Pollution In Urban Areas
Natalie McMasters
Castle College
Tutor-Paul Hobson
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