Noise Indicators for Size Distributions of Airborne Particles and Traffic Activities in Urban Areas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among the particle number concentration (PNC), noise, and traffic conditions. Field measurements were conducted to measure the temporal variabilities of the noise levels and PNC over 24 h in a location adjacent to three main traffic roads in Seoul, Korea. The PNC was measured in the range of 0.3 to 10 µm. The noise data was measured by utilizing both the overall levels and spectral characteristics. Traffic data including volumes and speeds of vehicles on the roads were also collected. The results showed that the correlations among the three key parameters varied depending on changes in the noise frequency and particle size. The noise levels at 100–200 Hz were positively correlated with traffic volume and submicron particles. In contrast, they exhibited inverse correlations with the traffic speed and the number of larger particles (>2.5 µm). Compared to noise levels at 100–200 Hz, noise levels at 1–2 kHz exhibited reverse relationships between the traffic and PNC. Submicron particles (0.3–1.0 µm) tended to be more strongly associated with noise levels during the daytime, while those greater than 2.5 µm maintained relatively stable correlations with the noise throughout the day. The findings address the importance of temporal and spectral-specific monitoring of air and noise pollutants for a better understanding of the exposure of the community to air and noise pollution.

The Economic Effects of Electromobility in Sustainable Urban Public Transport

“…Moreover, the fast growth of demand for transport services, in terms of both passenger and cargo flows, has a direct effect on the number of road accidents and their outcomes [28][29][30], increased noise and vibrations [31,32], uncontrolled land consumption [33,34], and residents' life quality. A major problem in that respect is that internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) still dominate the transport services market, and transport remains very dependent on oil-oil-derived fuels account for 95% of energy consumption in transport [35].…”

Analysis of the Possibility of Reducing External Costs of Transport Within Land-Sea Transport Chains on the Example of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, Poland

“…However, transport that is indispensable for people is becoming a bigger threat to their health and life, as well as to the surrounding environment. The dynamic increase in demand for transport services translates into traffic congestion [6,7], an increase in road accidents, land consumption [8,9], as well as increase in noise and vibration [10,11]. The growing demand for transport services also increases fuel consumption.…”

Mapping Urban Environmental Performance with Emerging Data Sources: A Case of Urban Greenery and Traffic Noise in Sydney, Australia

“…With rapid urbanization and motorization of travel in cities over the past few decades, various environmental issues have emerged that largely affect urban livability and environmental sustainability, especially in the city centers where human activities and mobility usually concentrate. Evidence has shown that traffic noise and urban heat islands are two of the key factors contributing to the decline in life quality and the overall well-being of residents and that such negative effects are the strongest in dense and congested city centers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”