Environmental noise measurements and dtm modeling in dense urban conditions in volos city center according to the 2002/49/eu directive

Abstract

The wide growth of the transportation means, as well as the development of productive activities or even leisure activities in urban areas of large cities, has evaluated the problem of "environmental noise pollution" and its effects in the physical and psychological health of the citizens. In the framework of the present paper, the results of the environmental noise measurements (Leq, L1, L10, L50, L95 and L99) and modelling that was carried out in four signalized nodes in the urban agglomeration of Volos, Greece, taking into account the European Directive 2002/49/EU and the relevant Greek legislation (1), are presented. The research was twodimensional, including "in field" noise measurements in the four nodes (2), as well as the modelling of the results through the software "MITHRA" based on the "NMPB - Routes 96" (XPS 31-133) French methodology (3). Based on the outcomes of the first phase of the research, the "current scenario" for the impact of the environmental noise in Volos city center was developed, while, the second phase included the assessment of the future impact of environmental noise, and the development of relevant matrixes of "measurements", which formed the "future scenario". Results showed that the highest level of environmental noise was recorded in the noon period, then in the morning and finally in the afternoon period. This distribution of environmental noise is in line with the measured traffic volumes. Also, a significant mean difference of 1.14 dB (A), between the noise level of the indicator L 10 (18hr) in the field measurements and the relevant measurements through the model, was indicated. Finally, the comparison of the maps of isonoise curves among the "current scenario" and the "future scenario", did not show any significant differences, since the traffic volumes in the "future scenario" are expected to be three times highest, resulting to a decrease of the vehicles' speed (from 45 to 30 km/h).