OCTOBER 19-20, 2012 - YMCA University of Science & Technology

Proceedings of the National Conference on
Trends and Advances in Mechanical Engineering,
YMCA University of Science & Technology, Faridabad, Haryana, Oct 19-20, 2012
EFFECTS OF ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE ON TRAFFIC CONSTABLE IN
GHAZIABAD REGION
Rakesh V.Mishra 1 , Sachin Rathore 2 , Nitin Sharma 2 , D.D.Johri 3 , Z Mallick 4
1 M.tech. scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, AFSET Faridabad (Haryana)
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KIET Gzb (U.P.)
3 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KIET Gzb (U.P.)
4
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, JMI, New Delhi
Email: mishrarv@gmail.com
Abstract:
Over the past decades there had been a rapid change in the population of Ghaziabad (U.P.). This has lead to a
significant change in the traffic density in the commercially developed cities. This traffic growth has made the noise
level on the roads beyond the prescribed limits. We have put an effort for the measurements of noise levels in this
paper, under traffic conditions over different time span in Ghaziabad region, to estimate, whether these levels
exceeds permissible limits, (65 dB (A)) prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi. This paper is
an attempt for the measurements of noise levels under traffic conditions over different time span in Ghaziabad
region, to estimate, whether these levels exceeds permissible levels, (65 dB(A)) prescribed by the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB) New Delhi, the variation in discomfort of road traffic Police constable was assessed by
means of a questionnaire. Finally results reveal that higher road traffic noise levels led to the increase of discomfort
of traffic Police constable.
Keywords: Road traffic noise; Traffic Police constable; Discomfort; Questionnaire
I. Introduction
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding of the interactions among
humans and other elements of a system. It is also concerned with the profession that applies theory, principles, data
& methods to design, in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. People in systems
operate within an environment and environmental ergonomics is concerned with how they interact with the
environment from the perspective of ergonomics. Environmental ergonomics is provided in terms of the effects of
heat and cold, vibration, noise and light on the health, comfort and performance of people [15]. Nowadays, noise
pollution is considered as one of the main problems of urban communities which has many hazardous effects on the
urban environment and may result in a great deal of costs on the society [13][8]. The major contributor to the noise
level increase is the traffic density in large cities [12]. According to the researches, noise pollution caused by traffic
is one of the major problems in the southern large cities of Sweden [14] [7]. In another research conducted in 2004
in the same country, in addition to mentioning the problems of noise pollution in the big cities of Sweden, the
researchers have demonstrated that noise effects will limit the episodic memory [9]. The traffic policemen in
metropolises are the most affected groups exposed to this dangerous factor during their working hours and in their
leisure time. Ingleet al.have been measured the level recorded for this group as 88 dB (A) and, in some cases, it has
been observed up to 100 dB (A) [11]. Statistic results published by Organization for Economic Co-Operation and
Development (OECD) in 1994 specified that more than 17 million people in France are exposed to sounds louder
than 55 dB (A) during 8-20 hours of their lives, whereas the minimum standard noise for noise pollution in the
environment is 55 dB (A) [4] [5]. The central pollution control board (CPCB) of India in its notification on ambient
air quality standard for noise, which has been included as an air pollutant under section 20 of Amended air act of
1987 and has laid down the ambient noise standards. Moreover, it was concluded that the noise in some parts of
these cities is so much that can lead to long-lasting and irrecoverable effects on the citizens and in places like
masonry workshops and may increase above 100 dB (A). Regarding to the sound standards (less than 55 dB (A))
determined by World Health Organization (WHO), studying of the urban environmental noise became significant
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