Abstract:
Noise generally is known as unwanted and
unwelcome sound. It is considered as the most pervasive
pollutant besides the emission pollutants. Noise pollution
generated from vehicles with its influence on life quality
and the environment may be considered as a hot topic in
scientific research and one of the main concerns of the
world, especially in urban areas. Because in Palestinian
Territories (PT), there are neither legal legislations nor
sufficient studies on noise pollution, this paper was carried
out to evaluate vehicular noise level in Hebron city (the
largest city of about two hundred thousand population),
located at the south of (PT). Noise measurements were
taken at two chosen areas with high population density,
heavy traffic, commercial and residential buildings. The
value of equivalent level noise ( LAeq) was measured
during three intervals ranged from 7-8 am (peak traffic
hours), 14-15 pm (peak traffic hours), and 17-18 pm (nonpeak traffic hours) in June 2012. Noise pollution was
measured and analyzed and it was noticed that the
maximum average of noise level was measured 83.05 dB(A)
from 14 to 15 pm, while the minimum average was
measured 74.4 dB(A) from 17 to 18 pm. The results showed
and emphasized that in regard to high (LAeq) compared with
international legislations, implementing strategy and
greater priority must be devoted to control the noise levels.
