An Assessment of the Noise Level in a Residential Area Crossed by an Intensive Traffic Road - Comparative Analysis between on Site Measurements and Legal Standards

Abstract

Nowadays the noise level increased due to the expanding of the urbanization and the extended number of vehicles. The aim of the study is to assess the level noise in the area of an urban intensive traffic road. The selected road has residential buildings on both sides and it makes the link between two major areas in the town. Last year, along with the rehabilitation of the bridge on this road and of the street’s pavement, a protection barrier has been mounted on the sidewalk.Measurements of the noise levels were taken during a workday, within rush-hours and low-traffic hours, using a sound level measuring instrument. The measurements were taken along the road, in three characteristic spots of the ramp input on the bridge: 1 – close to the traffic light (with the vehicles at rest), 2 - mid ramp (area of maximum acceleration) and 3 - at the end of the ramp, thus determining the noise level in the area. Measurements were also made perpendicular to the road: at the border of the sidewalk, behind the protective barrier and near the facade of the building, to determine the effectiveness of the protection barrier.Maximum, minimum and the mean value of the urban noise level in the area have been determined and compared to the legal standards for urban residential roads.By analyzing measured data it can be concluded that the mean values exceed the maximum permitted levels.