The Effects of Night-Time Road Traffic Noise on Discomfort - a Case Study in Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Sound produced by the passing traffic contributes to noise pollution. Noise pollution affects the residents of both city and suburban areas. The noise produced does not only disturb the community living nearby the main road during the day but becomes worse during the night. The purpose of the study is to perform noise level measurement and subjective evaluation on the noise produced at night in a residential area along Paka Road, Dungun, Terengganu.

Methods: Data of the noise level produced at night in the residential area were taken at three different locations using SoundTrack LxT sound level meter. These locations determined the effect of distances to the noise being heard. Data were recorded to produce L_Aeq, L_max, L₁₀ and L₉₀. Noise pollution levels (LNP) and traffic noise index (TNI) were also reported. A subjective evaluation was conducted to investigate residents' perception of the effects of traffic noise at night in their daily life routine. This study employed a questionnaire specially constructed for the study based on related literature review.

Results: The noise levels inside and outside of the residences exceeded the noise level permitted by Department of Environment (DOE) and World Health Organization (WHO). The noise level in the residence was 66.4 dBA which is much higher than the level proposed by DOE. While the highest L_Aeq of the traffic noise measured inside the residence was 57.5 dBA which is also considered as high. Moreover, the maximum noise level inside the residences could reach up to 85.3 dBA at night during the weekends.This study also showed that from 114 respondents who were selected randomly, 61% felt that their residential area is noisy at night.

Conclusion: The noise produced by the traffic at Paka Road, Dungun at night is considerably high and affects the residents’ quality of life.

Keywords: Malaysia, Traffic, Noise