89. Noise Vulnerability Assessment at 78 dB (A) for Kota City

Noise pollution due to vehicular traffic is a rapidly growing environmental concern of metropolitan cities all across the world because the quality of life in urban cities and towns is greatly affected by the high noise level. It became a primary source of noise emissions in megacities because two-thirds of the total noise pollution in the urban cities are associated with traffic noise. It is a derivative of industrialization and urbanization. As per WHO, noise is globally recognized as a significant threat for human beings due to several physiological and psychological impacts on human health such as high blood pressure, stress-related disease, sleep disturbances, loss of hearing ability and the harm of productivity. Severe impacts, including loss of memory, frustration, and harmful attacks, cannot be ignored. In this research work, the evolution of traffic noise in Kota city has been studied. Twenty-eight sampling locations are selected to cover the whole city for the estimation of traffic noise levels. Noise data is collected, analysed and further used for noise mapping. Noise maps have been generated with the help of geospatial information system (GIS) to complete the noise vulnerability assessment for Kota city. Noise vulnerability assessment has been done at 78 dB (A). High noise level areas with an exposure time of associated population are identified. Humans living in high noise level areas with an exposure time of 75–100% of the total time are highly susceptible to the adverse effect of traffic noise pollution. Cardiovascular impacts related to traffic noise levels are connected with noise exposure limit and time to explain the noise vulnerability for Kota city. This study reveals the importance of traffic noise reduction policies and strategies for public health.