Investigation on Characteristics of Noise Induced by Construction Traffic

Abstract

Construction traffic noise continues to grow and it is accompanied by an increasing number of complaints from people exposed to the noise. The historical dimension of noise pollution in urbanized society identified ‘noise’ as being unwanted or undesirable sound created by construction vehicles that are considered harmful to human health and quality of life. The most important issue is sleep disturbance. However, the assessment of construction traffic noise is highly complex. Objective of this research is to determine the characteristics of noise induced by construction traffic and normal traffic. Sound levels were measured by using Sound level meter (SVAN971) and four channel seismograph at different locations near roads where heavy construction vehicles such as ABC truck, empty truck, roller and motor grader passing through. In order to compare with ambient condition, noise induced by normal vehicles (i.e., car, three-wheeler, van, bus.) was also measured. Most of the construction vehicles induced noise, which are higher than the noise induced by the normal vehicles. Among the normal traffic, three-wheelers produce noise greater than other normal vehicles. It was found that construction traffic induced noise as high as 109 dB (L(A)max),79.2 dB (L(A) eq). Construction traffic produces noise at relatively low frequencies with high amplitude. Low frequency noise can be easily transmitted through structures and it can cause windows and other elements to rattle. The noise with tonal or impulsive characteristics is likely to be more annoying than noise without such characteristics.