Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Publication
    Mapping for sustainability: environmental noise and the city
    In the last decade or so, the term sustainability has become fashionable not only among scientists but also among the general public. While this undoubtedly demonstrates that public awareness of environmental issues is increasing, it is also the case that the meaning of the concept can be elusive for many. As has been highlighted earlier in this volume, the notion of sustainability is something of a contested term quite aside from the idea of environmental sustainability, which is a more specific component of the broader concept
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  • Publication
    Estimating human exposure to transport noise in central Dublin, Ireland
    This paper reports on research conducted to determine estimates of the extent of environmental noise exposure from road transport on residents and workers in central Dublin, Ireland. The Harmonoise calculation method is used to calculate noise values for the study area while a Geographical Information System (GIS) is utilised as a platform upon which levels of noise exposure are estimated. Residential exposure is determined for Lden and Lnight while worker exposure is determined for Lden. In order to analyse the potential of traffic management as a noise abatement measure, traffic was redirected from the main residential areas to alternative road links and the revised exposure levels were determined. The results show that the extent of noise exposure in Dublin is considerable, and in relative terms, it is worse for the night-time period. In addition, the results suggest also that traffic management measures have the potential to lead to significant reductions in the level of noise exposure provided that careful consideration is given to the impact of traffic flows on residential populations.
      1058Scopus© Citations 84
  • Publication
    Reducing pedestrian exposure to environmental pollutants : a combined noise exposure and air quality analysis approach
    It has been estimated that at least one fifth of the population of the EU suffer a reduced quality of life due to exposure to noise. Chief among those affected are city-dwellers. For today’s urban planners environmental noise represents a significant environmental pollutant that must be addressed along with concerns over air quality. Taken together, noise and air pollution represent a significant contribution to the overall reduction in the quality of life of urban residents. The need for good urban planning with particular reference to both air and noise pollution has arisen. This paper examines a case study involving a dividing wall situated between two walkways adjacent to a main road in Dublin’s city centre, with particular attention paid to both air and noise pollution. Both air and noise measurements were conducted on site and compared to modelled results. It was found that the dividing wall decreased noise levels by approximately 55% while a similar improvement in air quality was observed. The study also demonstrated that further reductions in noise and air pollution exposure can be achieved by increasing the height of the boundary wall and/or by lowering the position of the boardwalk relative to the position of the road. In order to present combined results, a joint air and noise pollution index was developed, which was used to quantify the overall improvements due to the presence of the boardwalk. It is proposed that an index of this sort could be a valuable tool for future urban planning.
      836Scopus© Citations 54
  • Publication
    Transportation noise and public health outcomes: biological markers and pathologies
    (Institute of Noise Control Engineering - USA, 2018-08-29) ;
    In 2009 the World Health Organisation recommend that for the prevention of sub-clinical adverse health impacts related to night-time noise, the general population should not be exposed to noise levels greater than 40dB(A). Contemporary scientific studies exploring the relationship between transport noise and health-related outcomes have served to reinforce the veracity of this recommendation. Indeed, a number of recent studies suggest that adverse impacts begin to occur at even lower levels - somewhere in the 30-39 dB(A) range. Within the foregoing context, this paper systematically reviews the contemporary academic literature in an attempt to delineate specific biological markers and pathologies associated with noise-health outcomes as a result of transportation noise exposure. In doing so, we highlight and categorise these markers specifically for a range of emerging health impacts. By highlighting such relationships, the goal is to allows other researchers to easily identify key health-related variables in national and international data sets. By utilising this data in conjunction with noise mapping data it may be possible to determine dose-effect and burden of disease relationships more accurately for a wider range of health issues in specific cities across Europe.
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  • Publication
    Environmental Noise Mapping with Smartphone Applications: A Participatory Noise Map of West Hartford, CT
    This paper reports on the second phase of an on-going study concerning the use of smartphone applications to measure environmental noise at the University of Hartford. This phase involved the development of two strategic noise maps of West Hartford town center: i) a standard noise map developed using traditional mapping techniques and ii) a participatory noise map utilizing smartphone-based measurement data (a citizen-science approach to noise mapping). The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of developing a noise map using a citizen science based approach. Results suggest that smartphone applications can be used to collect environmental noise data and these data may be used in the development of a participatory noise map.
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