Noise Level - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Noise Level Noise Level [Institute’s Noise Level With exponentially increasing population, a competitive war to improve living standards, increasing sluggishness and busy life has dampened walking among people and augmented an unlimited use of road transport ranging from public bus to a private car. Road transportation vehicles have varied noise levels. The sources of noise from vehicles are engine, exhaust, and friction of wheels. Auto rickshaw is best epitome in this case, as it creates a chronic pain not only for a consumer but also for everyone who is by mistake near it.

In order to maximize private benefits of road transportation, people very conveniently discounted the external cost incurred on inhabitants of city. Because of noise pollution caused by road transportation, city dwellers suffer from sleep disorders; severe stress on nervous systems, escalated blood pressure, hypertension, chronic heart problems, continuous headache, frustration, annoyance, noise induced hearing loss, and finally, the loss of good quality life (Ventre, & Case, 1971). The best way to reduce traffic noise pollution is to install noise barriers at the residential area.

“Noise barriers diminish the decibel level by 10 to 15 decibels, which means reducing the sound in half. Sound barriers consist of two types, earth berm and noise walls. Noise readings can assist engineer decide about type, location, length and height of a noise barrier” (Ventre, & Case, 1971). Noise walls are made up of concrete, stucco, wood, masonry, and metal (Gelfand, 2009). On the other hand, earth berms are more appropriate for visual looks depending on the material and room. Just like noise wall, earth berm also blends in with surrounding effectively.

Moreover, plants are added to it in order to cover it up (Ventre, & Case, 1971). However, sound barrier will only be effective if residents behind it cannot see the road, which implies that they are in shadow zone. Hence, it will not work for residents on hillside and homes that are quite distant from it (Ventre & Case, 1971). References Gelfand, S. A. (2009). Essentials of Audiology. Thieme. Ventre, G. G., Case, K. E. (1971). “Control and Abatement of Transportation Noise.” Transportation Journal.

Volume 10, Issue 4, pp. 54-59.