Transportation's Harmful Sounds: Understanding Noise Pollution Sources

Transportation is a significant contributor to noise pollution, which has adverse effects on the health and well-being of millions of people. The impact of transportation noise is particularly prominent in urban areas, where road, rail, and air traffic converge to create unwanted sound that disrupts daily life. While the construction of new roads and highways may not be a major concern, the increase in traffic volume and certain conditions like steep inclines can lead to elevated noise levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified noise as the second most significant environmental cause of ill health in Western Europe, highlighting the need to address transportation's role in noise pollution.

Road transport is the leading cause of environmental noise pollution in the EU

Road traffic noise affects human exposure above the EU's threshold of 55 decibels (dB) for daily exposure and 50 dB for night exposure. In the 33 member countries of the EEA, around 100 million people are exposed to road traffic noise above 55 dB, with 32 million of those exposed to very high noise levels (above 65 dB). In many cities, more than half of the population is exposed to road noise levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the day-evening-night period.

The WHO has identified noise as the second most significant environmental cause of ill health in Western Europe, after air pollution. Long-term exposure to environmental noise from road traffic can lead to various health issues, including annoyance, stress, sleep disturbance, poor mental health and well-being, and cognitive impairment in children. It can also have negative effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. According to the EEA, noise is associated with more than 12,000 premature deaths every year in Europe, while air pollution is linked to over 550,000.

To address the problem of noise pollution, the EU has implemented policies and guidelines, such as the Environmental Noise Directive (END) and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, which aim to reduce exposure to and the harmful effects of noise pollution. The END requires member states to prepare noise maps and develop action plans to prevent and reduce harmful exposure. The Zero Pollution Action Plan targets a 30% reduction in the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 2030 compared to 2017 levels.

To achieve these targets, various solutions are being explored, such as identifying and mitigating noisy and polluting vehicles, optimizing road textures, implementing green barriers, and using photocatalytic materials and microplastics collection in the asphalt layer pore network.

Aircraft noise can affect the health of those living near airports

Transportation is a significant contributor to noise pollution, with road transport being the most significant contributor in the EU. Aircraft noise is a particularly detrimental environmental effect of aviation. Those living near airports are at risk of several health issues due to aircraft noise.

Aircraft noise has been found to be associated with a higher body mass index (BMI), which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. A study of 2300 residents near Frankfurt Airport found that a 10 dB increase in daytime or nighttime aircraft noise was associated with a 28% increase in anxiety medication use. This association between aircraft noise and higher BMI was more pronounced among participants on the West Coast and those living in arid conditions.

Aircraft noise can also disrupt sleep, negatively impact academic performance in children, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease for those living near airports. Early studies have indicated that children exposed to long-term aircraft noise show a higher degree of annoyance and are more likely to give up on difficult tasks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified noise as the second most significant environmental cause of ill health in Western Europe, after air pollution. The WHO has set guidelines and recommendations for reducing noise levels from various sources, including aircraft. The European Union's Zero Pollution Action Plan aims to reduce the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030 compared to 2017 levels.

Railway noise is a significant source of local noise pollution

While trains are an environmentally-friendly mode of transport, railway noise is a significant source of local noise pollution. Railway noise can be a big problem, particularly in locations with nearby residential areas. The noise generated by train traffic is a serious environmental problem, with at least one in five people in the EU exposed to long-term noise levels that are harmful to their health.

There are three types of railway noise: traction and auxiliary noise, aerodynamic noise, and rolling noise, with the latter two being the most predominant. Rolling noise is produced by the interaction between the wheel and rail, which is one of the primary sources of railway noise. When a train enters and leaves a station, it produces a honking sound of 100 dB. The entry and exit of trains at stations also produce impact noise of less than 1000 Hz frequencies and curve squeal noise containing large frequencies of 125 to 500 Hz.

The noise from trains can cause an uncomfortable environment for people living nearby. It can lead to annoyance, sleep disturbances, and negative effects on cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Railway noise can also impact children's ability to learn and cause cognitive impairment. The vibration produced by freight trains can further affect human sleep and may have long-term consequences on the cardiovascular functioning of nearby residents.

To address railway noise, various measures have been implemented. For example, strict noise legislation has resulted in capacity limits or bans on specific types of railway traffic on certain lines. Additionally, government-funded innovation and investment programs have led to the development of new products for noise reduction, such as silent bridges, prefab rail-attached dampening devices, and trackside lubrication devices. These initiatives aim to reduce the harmful effects of railway noise on human health and improve the quality of life for those living near railway lines.

Traffic noise increases with speed and vehicle weight

The impact of transportation on noise pollution is significant, with road transport being the most significant contributor to environmental noise pollution in the EU. This is particularly true in urban areas, where over 20% of the EU-27 population lives with transport noise levels that can cause adverse health effects. The number of people exposed to harmful levels of long-term transport noise has remained stable since 2012, and it is predicted to decline by about 18% by 2030 with the implementation of additional measures. However, without these measures, achieving a significant reduction in people affected by transport noise will be challenging.

Traffic noise, a major component of transportation's impact on noise pollution, increases with speed and vehicle weight. For example, traffic at 65 miles per hour sounds twice as loud as traffic at 30 miles per hour. Similarly, one truck at 55 miles per hour produces the same amount of noise as 28 cars at the same speed. Conditions such as steep inclines along a roadway can also increase traffic noise levels, as they cause heavy labouring of motor vehicle engines. The noisiest hour of the day or night along a highway typically occurs just before or after peak hours when vehicle volumes, speeds, and the truck-to-auto ratio combine to yield the highest hourly noise level.

The impact of transportation noise on health can be significant. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified noise as the second most significant environmental cause of ill health in Western Europe, after air pollution. Long-term exposure to transportation noise can lead to various physical and mental health issues, including annoyance, stress, sleep disturbance, high blood pressure, cardiac diseases, and cognitive impairment in children. It is important to note that negative health effects can occur even below the Environmental Noise Directive (END) threshold of 55 dB for the day-evening-night period.

To address transportation noise, various measures can be implemented. These include regulatory or legislative changes, such as reducing speed limits on urban roads, implementing noise standards for vehicles, and providing incentives or fines to encourage noise reduction. Other solutions involve infrastructure changes, such as building new roads further from homes or implementing road texture optimisation and green barriers. Additionally, technological advancements, such as remote sensors to measure vehicle emissions and noise levels, can help identify and manage noisy and polluting vehicles.

Transit systems cause noise and vibration issues for nearby residences

Transportation is a significant contributor to noise pollution in cities. Urban societies face the challenge of living with the noise and vibration caused by transportation systems. Transit systems, such as trains, roads, and aircraft, can cause noise and vibration issues for nearby residences. The impact of this environmental vibration and noise can cause serious concerns for building occupants and can result in complaints and pressure from the public.

In Singapore, the MRT rail transit system has been the subject of research examining the negative effects of noise, vibration, and privacy concerns on residents living nearby. The noise generated by the MRT trains ranges from 80 to 85 dB, exceeding the acceptable level of 67 dB for residential areas. The study found that residents in lower-floor housing units close to the aboveground tracks experienced various disamenities, including noise, vibration, and privacy intrusion from passing trains.

The impact of transit systems on nearby residences is not limited to noise and vibration. The presence of transit infrastructure can also affect property values. The study in Singapore found that housing prices within 1 km of aboveground MRT rail tracks increased by approximately 2.8% after the completion of noise barrier projects. Additionally, houses farther away from the rail tracks were found to be less affected by noise disamenities, with resale prices increasing by 3-4% on average for every 1 km increase in distance from the tracks.

To mitigate the negative impacts of transit systems on nearby residences, several measures can be implemented. One approach is to install noise barriers along transit corridors. For example, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore began installing noise barriers along aboveground tracks and areas facing severe noise disturbances. Another strategy is to optimize road textures, implement green barriers, and utilize photocatalytic materials to reduce noise and emissions from passing vehicles.

It is important to address the noise and vibration issues caused by transit systems to reduce their impact on the health and well-being of nearby residents. Chronic exposure to environmental noise has been linked to significant physical and mental health effects, including annoyance, stress, sleep disturbance, and negative impacts on cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Therefore, implementing effective measures to reduce noise and vibration levels is crucial for creating a healthier and more livable environment for residents living near transit systems.

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