Reducing the noise pollution level along main roads in Sibiu, Romania by optimizing the traffic flow

Abstract

Abstract. Noise pollution is one of the most important negative effects of road traffic, especially in cities. The current paper presents an attempt to reduce the noise level created by the road traffic along some main roads in the city of Sibiu, Romania by suggesting ways to optimize the traffic flow. The number of cars and the resulting noise levels were recorded in a key area of Sibiu. The noise levels were compared to standards and to measurements taken in areas with less traffic. Then, they were fed, together with road geometry data, into a specialized simulation software that allowed the computer-aided reproduction of the traffic flow, but also the modifying of conditions such as the road geometry to achieve, coupled with a multicriterial analysis, an optimization of the pedestrian and road traffic flow in view of a reduced noise pollution.

Analysis of the evolution of pollution indicators in a crossroads area of Sibiu, Romania

“…The data obtained during this study were compared with data obtained by Borza et al in 2012 [7,8], by Inta et al in 2013 [9], and by Deac et al in 2016 [10,11].…”

“…When comparing the data with those recorded in [6][7][8][9][10], there can be noticed an increase of both the number of vehicles recorded and of the pollution levels. This comes despite efforts by the city administration to tackle the problem by introducing, for example, roundabouts meant to ensure a better traffic flow.…”

“…The noise levels recorded in the crossroads in parallel with the video recording of the traffic are indicated in Table 3 76.80 [10] -As can be seen, there is a correspondence between the time of the maximal number of cars passing through the crossroads and the maximal noise level recording, which indicates that the solution for reducing the noise level in this crossroads resides with optimising the traffic in the area as a whole.…”