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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Outdoor and Indoor Noise Levels

Outdoor and indoor noise levels measure the degree of highway traffic noise; these noise levels are shown to affect commuters. The degree of traffic noise depends on both traffic volume and traffic speed. Outdoor traffic noise levels have been shown to be a significant source of annoyance for people living in urban areas.1,2 This indicator measures the degree of traffic noise in decibels (unit for measuring sound), with a decrease in the outdoor and indoor noise levels indicating an improvement in strategies that address this issue.

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK is an example of an organization that collects and stores data on noise levels from a variety of sources. This includes data from braking and acceleration tests, as well as data from on-road monitoring. The DVLA also uses this data to produce noise maps, which show the average noise levels in different areas of the UK. The noise maps are used by local authorities to help identify areas where there may be a problem with noise pollution. The DVLA’s noise maps are available to view online, and they are updated regularly.3

Examples

Quantifying traffic noise pollution levels: a cross-sectional survey in South Africa

Moroe & Mabaso (2022) conducted a cross-sectional study to measure traffic noise levels and how it causes noise pollution. The study investigated the noise levels that commuters are exposed to and used the Pollution Standard Index (PSI) to determine the level of exposure. The methodology involved using a sound level meter and a dosimeter at different times of the day for over 28 days. The data was collected within the span of three months. After the data was collected and analyzed, the researchers measured the noise levels which were above permissible commercial noise levels (90bB) according to the World Health Organization. The noise levels were considered dangerous to the commuters and suggested a need to raise awareness of the dangers and effects of noise pollution in developing countries.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07145-z/

1. Corbisier, C. Living with noise [Internet]. Dot.gov. [cited 2022 Aug 8]. Available from: https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/julyaugust-2003/living-noise
2. Singh, N., Davar, S.C. Noise pollution-sources, effects and control. Journal of Human Ecology. 2004 Nov 1;16(3):181-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2004.11905735
3. Morris, L., Taddei, A. Roadside vehicle noise measurement lot 1 SPATS framework [Internet]. Gov.uk. [cited 2022 Aug 17]. Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805940/roadside-vehicle-noise-measurement-phase-1-study-report-and-technology-recommendations.pdf