Evaluation Of Vehicular Noise Pollution In The City Of Hebron, Palestine

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.