Evaluation of Strategic Noise Maps Arising from Urban Traffic

Environmental noise from traffic, industry and entertainment in cities has been one of the important environmental problems. In developed countries, noise from highways, airways and railways are the second major health problem. Traffic noise has negative effects on human health. The traffic noise exposes are occurring in the high populated living areas. Strategic noise maps are prepared to identify these noise areas in cities and to create liveable cities. Thus, problems related to environmental noise are identified and necessary control measures can be taken. In this study, strategic noise maps arising from the road traffic in Gaziantep with high population density were created with traffic counts and simulation program. Within the scope of the study, a total of 193 km of highways, 161 km of which are main roads, were modelled and vehicle counts were made on 33 road sections. Strategic noise maps were prepared for daytime, evening and night with the obtained simulation data. Then, the population ratios in the regions exceeding the noise limit values caused by road traffic were calculated. According to this; 5.4% of the population of Gaziantep is exposed to traffic noise levels above the critical levels determined during the day, 8.2% in the evening and 7.5% at night. Sensitive areas, 201 schools and 95 hospitals, are located in these noise areas and are exposed to traffic noise levels.