computerized monitoring of noise & dust levels at different road

Computerized Monitoring Of Noise & Dust Levels 1

COMPUTERIZED MONITORING OF NOISE & DUST LEVELS

Computerized Monitoring of Noise & Dust Levels at Different Road Crossings of

Lahore

Shahid Naseem

National College of Business Administration & Economics, Lahore

Abstract

The vehicles emission represents the greatest source of noise and dust pollution in Lahore.

There are 19, 44,709 approximately [Punjab Development Statistics, 2009] vehicles on the

roads of the Lahore. A noise measure is done through “Digital Sound Level Meter” to

determine the existing noise level in the area. It is important to determine the source of the

noise, as there may be other non-highway noise sources especially in commercial areas. The

Dust Measure is done through “Device Microdust Pro Kit” [http://www.pce-

instruments.com/english/index.php n.d.] to detect the pollution level in air. A computer

program “Traffic Noise Model (TNM)” [http://english.exair.com/optimization/sound level

meter.php n.d.] is real help to measure noise and “Windust Computer Software” for data

recovery and its presentation.

1 Introduction

a) Air Pollution

Air pollution is the term used to describe the presence in the atmosphere of one or more air

contaminants in quantity that will be injurious to or unreasonably interfere with public health

welfare and the natural and environmental process. Today many people regard air and noise

pollution as a problem that cannot be eliminated but one that could get worse in the future.

The massive increase in urban traffic has contributes to air & noise pollution in the majority

of developing countries and since the awareness level regarding the adverse health impact of

air pollution is low the problem is rapidly expanding. (EPA, 2000),

[URL:http://www.aqmd.gov/tao/roaddust.html.n.d]

b) Noise Pollution

Noise pollution means that unwanted and damaging sound pollute the environment. Noise is

one of the most widely and most frequently experienced problems of the urbanized areas.

Common source of Noise are road traffic, aircrafts, road equipments, industrial noise, railway

stations.

Effects of noise pollution are:

Noise pollution can make people nervous.

It can prevent people from sleeping.

It can change a man’s physiological state by speeding up pulse and respiratory

rates.

It can damage the sense of hearing permanently or temporarily.

It can also influence blood circulation and cause stress and other psychological

effects.

2 Climate Situation of Lahore

Climate situation in Lahore as compared to Rawalpindi/Islamabad is as under:-

Climate Variable

s

Lahore Rawalpin

di

Islamaba

d

Annual avg.

wind speed

1.98 m/s 0.98 m/s 0.93 m/s

Annual avg.

temperature

23.8 c0 21.3 c

0 21.3 c

0

Mean Annual

Rainfall

500-1000

mm

1000-2000 mm 2000-3000

mm

Emission

source

No. of

Vehicles

549,625 117,465 8,894

Transport

fuel usage

Petrol 351,430 m/tons 61,223 m/tons 30,473 m/tons

Diesel 860,275 m/tons 10,338 m/tons 17,633 m/tons

CNG 330,717

h/m3

162,638 h/m3 63,897 h/m

3

[Pakistan Metrological Dept,1999]

In Lahore city, the noise pollution is very common due to the vehicle horns, low maintenance

quality etc. Especially the people near the busy road crossings are very much affected due the

traffic noise. A distractive feature of the Lahore Metropolitan City’s vehicle population in

trucks, buses, vans, three wheel vehicles which are mostly driven by two stroke engines. Four

road crossings were selected to monitor the dust and noise levels i.e. Club Chowk Model

Town, Yateem Khana Chowk, Qurtba Chowk and Yadgar Chowk. Club chowk Model Town

was less polluted as compare to other three road crossings in terms of noise and dust

pollution. (saxena, 1998)

3 Statement of the Problem

In Lahore, as in most other cities, vehicular pollution is the main culprit for air and noise

pollution. The vehicle boom has spelt doom for the city. The road space being limited, the

growing number of vehicles forces low gear driving, pushing up the pollutant levels to an

undesirable limit. The absence of a strong public transport system, failure of pollution control

norms, poor quality of fuel and ignorance of vehicle maintenance all have contributed to the

environmental mess.

There is sufficient scientific data available to substantiate that chronic low-grade noise

pollution can cause hearing loss, annoyance, high blood pressure, heart attack diseases and

sleep disturbances. Any sound pollution of above 85dB is very annoying to the body and if a

person is exposed for up to 8 hours it can cause hearing damage.

Dust can also be a nuisance since it can cause irritation in the eyes and various allergies. Dust

particles in the air can be breathed into lung tissue and can cause an increase in respiratory

diseases.

4 Objective of the Study

To monitor the level of noise and dust on the following three selected busy road crossings.

For comparison samples from relatively less polluted area will also be monitored.

o Qurtaba Chowk (Location 1)

o Yadgar Chowk (Location 2)

o Yateem Khana Chowk (Location 3)

o Club Chowk, Model Town (Location 4)

To compare the results with previous studies done on these crossings.

To reveal the adverse effects of these air pollutants through literature.

To suggest measures to reduce the dust and noise pollution on these road crossings.

5 Features of Digital Noise Level Meter

Data was collected regarding Total Particulate Matter (TPM) and dust from each location

eight hours daily. The timings for data collection were 08:30 A.M to 12:30 P.M in the

morning and 01:00 P.M to 05:00 P.M in evening. Noise readings were collected directly from

field with the help of “Digital Sound Level Meter” where as for total suspended particulates

(TSP), the relative proportion was separated from the filters and analyzed at the centre for the

improvement of working conditions Govt. of the Punjab Lahore. The features of Digital

Sound Level Meter are as follows:-

Measures sound level range from 35dB - 130dB

Frequency range 31.5Hz - 8kHz

A and C weightings (check your location for compliance with safety regulations

and acoustic analysis)

Slow (1 sec) and fast (125ms) response settings to check peak and average noise

levels

Maximum hold feature to measure peak sound levels

Accuracy is ± 1.5dB

NIST Certification

Large four digit LCD display in 0.1dB steps with backlight

Battery life is 50 hours (typical) with low battery alert

Automatic power off after 15 minutes of non-use

Meets CE, ANSI and IEC Type 2 SLM standards

Tripod mounting ideal for taking long term measurements (tripod not included)

Removable windscreen for use in windy conditions to reduce misreads Includes

protective carrying case, 9V battery, instruction manual and removable windscreen.

[http://english.exair.com/optimization/sound level meter.php.n.d]

a. Morning Readings

At morning the highest noise reading in Qurtaba Chowk (93.30 dB) at 12:00 noon. In Yadgar

chowk, the highest reading level was 101 dB, which is noted at 12:15 P.M. In Yateem Khana

Chowk, the highest noise reading was 102dB noted at 10:00 A.M and in Club chowk in the

morning times the highest noise reading was noted at 10:45 A.M which is 86.6 dB (The

decibel (dB) is used to measure sound level).

b. Evening Readings

Evening the highest noise reading in Qurtaba Chowk (100 dB) at 4:30 P.M. In Yadgar

chowk, the highest reading level was 100.7 dB, which is noted at 3:45 P.M. In Yateem Khana

Chowk, the highest noise reading was 93.5 dB noted at 4:45 P.M and in Club chowk in the

morning times the highest noise reading was noted at 1:00 P.M which is 83.6 dB (The decibel

(dB) is used to measure sound level).

c. Total Suspended Particulates

The level of total suspended particulates was highest in all the selected points in Yadgar

Chowk which is 395 ppb(part per billion). On the day data collection the humidity level was

48.2% and the temperature level was 32.1C.Qurtaba Chowk shows the second highest level

with suspended particulates 330ppb, humidity level was 52.4% and temperature level was

29.5C. At Yateem Khana Chowk, the total suspended particulates were 240ppb, humidity

47% and temperature was 30.2C. At Club Chowk the total suspended particulates was

165ppb, humidity 56.2% and temperature was 27.7C.

Table 5: Metrological Report for Humidity and Temperature Levels on The Data Collection

Day

Date Humidity Level Temperature

5:00

AM

8:00

AM

5:00

PM

Maximu

m

Minimu

m

27/03/201

1 67 59 29 32.5 10.3

29/03/201

1 72 65 45 30 10.8

31/03/201

1 85 76 53 26.4 15.3

02/04/201

1 73 62 38 32.2 18.4

03/04/201

1 69 54 32 32.4 20

10/04/201

1 53 42 29 36.7 23.5

Frequencies Noise Levels (Morning) Table#6

Statistics

QC

Y

C YKC CC

N

Vali

d 16 16 16 16

Miss

ing 0 0 0 0

Mean

89.

4000

93.

9312

90.26

88

77.

9563

Median

88.

9000

93.

7000

89.70

00

77.

9500

Mode

88.

9000

92.

3000

83.50

00

69.

4000

Std

Deviation

2.8

100

3.2

629

4.658

1

3.7

342

Variance

7.8

960

10.

6463

21.69

83

13.

9440

Range

10.

0000

11.

9000

18.10

00

17.

2000

Minimum

83.

9000

88.

8000

83.60

00

69.

4000

Maximum

93.

9000

10

0.7000

101.6

000

86.

6000

Frequencies Noise Levels (Evening) Table#7

Statistics

Q

C YC YKC CC

N

Vali

d 16 16 16 16

Miss

ing 0 0 0 0

Mean

91.

2000

93.

8375

87.00

00

77.1

938

Median

91.

0500

93.

7000

89.70

00

77.1

500

Std

Deviation

3.6

231

3.2

629

4.658

1

3.58

32

Variance

13.

1267

10.

6463

21.69

83

12.8

393

Range

13.

8000

11.

9000

18.10

00

13.9

000

Minimum

86.

2000

88.

8000

83.60

00

69.7

000

Maximum

10

0.0000

100

.7000

101.6

000

83.6

000

As for as the Standard Deviation of the noise from all the four road crossings is concerned, in

the morning time, we note that the standard deviation in Yateem Khan Chowk is greater and

in the evening time, standard deviation in Qurtaba Chowk is higher.

6 Comparison

a. Comparison with Japan Standard

Comparing with Japanese Standard at 200ug/m3(1hr) (Microgram/cubic meter) or WHO

guideline at 120ug/m3 for SPM(suspended particulates Matter). TSP data in 4 selected road

crossing shows TSP level exceeds 3.64 times in Qurtaba chowk, 1. 5 times Yateem Khana

Chowk in morning hours. On the basis of evening time results shows that TSP in Qurtaba

Chowk exceeds 1.94 times, 1.24 times in Yadgar Chowk, 3.22 times in Yateem Khana

Chowk.

Classification by

Region

Time Period

Daytime Mornings and

Evenings

Night time

Area in Category A

facing two –lane road

55dB or less 50dB or

less

45dB or

less

Area in Category

A facing road with

three or more lanes


less

50dB or

less

Area in Category B

facing road with below

two lanes


less

55dB or

less

Area in Category B

facing road with two or

more lanes.


less

60dB or

less

(Environment Agency Government of Japan, April 1999)

b. Comparison with WHO Standard

Comparing with WHO shows that TSP exceeds 6.1 times in Qutaba Chowk, 1.1 times in

Yadgar chowk 2.4 times in Yateem Khana Chowk, 1.4 times in Club Chowk in the day time

and evening results shows that 3.2 times in Qurtaba Chowk, 2.1 in Yadgar chowk, 5.4 in

Yateem Khana Chowk.

Recommended Noise Management Measures (WHO guidelines for community Noise)

Legal Measures Examples

Control of noise emissions Emission standards for road and off-road vehicles.

Noise mapping and zoning

around road, airports and

industries

Initiation of monitoring and modelling programmes.

Control of noise emissions Limits for exposure levels such as national emission

standards; noise monitoring and modelling, regulations

for complex noise situations.

Speed limits Residential areas, hospitals etc.

Enforcement of regulations Low noise implementation plan.

Engineering Measures

Emission reduction by source

modification.

Tyre profiles; low-noise surface; changes in engine

properties

New engine technology Road vehicles; aircraft

Traffic management Speed limits; guidance of traffic flow by electronic

means.

Passive protection Ear plugs; ear muffs etc

Implementation of land-use

planning

Minimum distance between industrial, busy roads and

residential areas, by-pass roads for heavy traffic.

Education & Information

Raising public awareness Informing the public on the health impacts of noise,

enforcement action taken, noise levels, complaints.

Sufficient number of noise

experts

University or high school curricula

Initiation of research and

development

Funding of information generation according to

scientific research needs.

Initiation of behaviour

changes

Speed reduction when driving, use of horns etc.

(US.EPA 1990)

7 Justification for Selected Points

1. Qurtaba Chowk

Qurtaba Chowk was selected for noise and total suspended particles monitoring because it is

at the center of a major commercial area of the city and has a heavy traffic load. The traffic at

this point presents a mixture of petrol and diesel vehicles. In addition, Qurtaba Chowk has

traffic signals at each corner there and the vehicles after changing the signal to green color

emit higher concentration of suspended particles.

2. Yadgar Chowk

The crossing was selected because all the traffic entering the city and leaving for

Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Northern areas normally passes it.

3. Yateem khana chowk

Chowk Yateem Khana is one of the busiest crossings in Lahore and presents a mixture of

petrol and diesel driven vehicles, including passenger cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, buses,

trucks, wagons and long vehicles. Because it connects to motorway, Multan road and to inner

city of Lahore.

4. Club Chowk

Club Chowk was selected because to measure and compare the noise and total suspended

particles levels in a residential cum commercial area of the city. This crossing is thought to be

less polluted with reference to noise and dust pollution.

8 Methodology

1. The Measurement of Noise

Many different types of instruments are in use for noise level measurement. The most widely

used is the “Sound Level Meter”. A sound level meter is an instrument for the measurement

for sound level, which is one of the basic measures used to rate noise sources. The unit of

sound level is called decibel (dB).

2. Method for Noise Level Monitoring & Sampling of Particulate Matter

Noise readings were noted after each 15 minutes (32 readings) during 8 hours monitoring

shift from each location, 2 samples of dust 4 hourly each were collected from each location.

The specification of the equipment use for the noise readings and dust samples is as under:-

3. Sample Collection Instrument for Dust.

Polyvinyl Chloride filters are used in high flow pumps for total dust sampling. Using SKC

Air Sample Pump (serial No. 511456) and Cat. No(224-PACXR3 SKC Filter Cassette) with

filter Millipore Corporation Pat No. (2879,207).

9 CONCLUSIONS

1. Noise Monitoring

This study concludes that the noise level gauged at different areas of Lahore at different times

of the day was higher than the permissible level. At Qurtaba Chowk, it was 1.38 times higher

that the permissible level and at Yadgar Chowk, it was 1.45 times more than the permissible

level. While at Yateem Khana Chowk, it was 1.19 times higher than what is normally

allowed. The study also highlights a lack of regular noise level monitoring system in the city,

aggravated by a dearth of any noise protection mechanism, which expose the public to high

levels of noise pollution.

2. Recommendations

The goal of noise management is to maintain low noise exposure, such that human health and

well-being are protected. The specific objectives of noise management are to develop criteria

for the maximum safe noise exposure levels and to promote noise assessment and control as

part of environmental health programmes.

This is not always achieved (Japan 1998), United Nations Agenda 21(UNCED 1992), as well

as the European Charter on Transport, Environment and Health (London Charter 1999), both

support a number of environmental management principles on which Government policies,

including noise management policies can be based. These include:

The precautionary principle: In all cases, noise should be reduced to the lowest

level achievable in a particular situation. Where there is a reasonable possibility that

public health will be damaged, action should be taken to protect public health

without awaiting full scientific proof.

The Polluter pays principle: The full costs associated with noise pollution

(including monitoring, management, lowering levels and supervision) should be met

by those responsible for the source of noise.

The Prevention principle: Action should be taken where possible to reduce noise at

the source. Land-use planning should be guided by an environmental health impact

assessment that considers noise as well as other pollutants.

The following recommendations were considered appropriate for Noise Management.

o The Government should consider the protection of population from community noise

as an integral part of their policy for environmental protection.

o The Government should consider implementing action plans with short-term,

medium-term and long-term objectives for reducing noise levels.

o The Government should include noise as an important issue when assessing public

health matters and support more research related to the health effects of noise

exposure.

o Legislation should be enacted to reduce sound pressure levels and existing legislation

should be enforced.

o Municipalities should develop low-noise implementation plans.

o Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses should be considered as potential

instruments when making management decisions.

o The Government should support more policy-relevant research into noise pollution.

o More research in occupational and ambient noise levels and their links with disease

patterns should be searched.

3. Dust Monitoring

The present study concludes that the amount of suspended particulate matter at four different

places in Lahore far exceeds the total permissible level both in morning and evening time.

10 Recommendation

No proper ambient air quality standards are being developed in Pakistan. There is a

strong need to develop the air quality standards regarding the dust pollution as a

public health problem.

There is a strong need to identify the common sources of the dust pollution so that

the people should know about the major sources of dust pollution.

There is a strong need to educate the traffic controllers performing their duties on the

hot spots and on busy road crossings about adverse health effects of the dust problem

and the methods and ways from which these traffic controllers can save themselves

from dust pollution. They should use masks while performing their duties and other

method to protect their health.

The Government should consider implementing action plans with short-term,

medium-term and long-term objectives for reducing particulate matter levels

11 Proposed Noise Monitoring Program

A computer program “TNM (Traffic Noise Model)” may be implemented to forecast the

level of noise in the future. The computer program uses predicted worst-case traffic volumes,

the percentage of trucks, and travel speeds to generate noise levels.

Worst-case traffic related to highway noise is not a traffic jam. When there is a traffic jam,

the vehicles do not move as fast as they normally would if there was no jam, and therefore do

not make as much noise. The level of service (LOS) of a roadway characterizes the traffic

performance measures related to speed and travel time, traffic interruptions. The levels of

service range from LOS A (least congested) to LOS F (most congested) as shown below:

(http://english.exair.com/optimization/sound level meter.php)

Highway traffic noise is worst in LOS D, as this is when the roadway is nearing capacity.

Although the vehicles may not be moving very fast, they are all moving and are doing so at a

steady speed. This is the point at which any more vehicle additions will result in an unstable

flow of traffic (stop-and-go traffic).

Other factors accounted for in the computer program are the distance of the receptors from

the proposed highway and the physical features such as hills, valleys, buildings, or other

obstructions that would affect how the noise would travel to the receptors.

Roadway Level-Of-Service (LOS) Ratings

LO

S

Description Speed(mp

h) Flow

(veh./hour/lane) Density

(veh./mile)

A Traffic flows at or above the posted

speed limit and all motorists have

complete mobility between lanes.

Over 60 Under 700 Under 12

B Slightly congested, with some

impingement of manoeuvrability. Two

motorists might be forced to drive side

by side, limiting lane changes.

57-

60

700-1,100 12-20

C Ability to pass or change lanes is not

assured. Most experienced drivers are

comfortable, and posted speed is

maintained, but roads are close to

capacity. This is often the target LOS

for urban highways.

54-

57

1,100-1,550 20-30

D Typical of an urban highway during

commuting hours. Speeds are somewhat

reduced, motorists are hemmed in by

other cars and trucks.

46-

54

1,550-1,850 30-42

E Flow becomes irregular and speed

varies rapidly, but rarely reaches the

posted limit. On highways this is

consistent with a road over its designed

capacity.

30-

46

1,850-2,000 42-67

F Flow is forced; every vehicle moves in

lockstep with the vehicle in front of it,

with frequent drops in speed to nearly

zero mph. A road for which the travel

time cannot be predicted.

Und

er 30

Unstable 67-

Maximum

(wikipedia)

Road and Intersection Level-Of-Service (LOS)

L

O

S

Freeway(assuming

70 mph design

speed)

Arterial(assuming

typical 40 mph free

flow speed)

Signalized

Intersections

(average controlled

delay per vehicle)

Traffic Flow

Characteristics

A Greater than 60

mph Average

spacing: 22 car-

lengths

Greater than 35 mph Less than 10 seconds;

most vehicles do not

stop at all

Virtually free flow;

completely unimpeded

Volume/Capacity (V/C)

ratio less than of equal to

.60

B 57 to 60 mph

Average spacing:

13 car-lengths

28 to 35 mph 10.1 to 20 seconds;

more vehicles stop than

LOS A

Stable flow with slight

delays; reasonably

unimpeded


ratio .61 to .70

C 54 to 57 mph

Average spacing: 9

car-lengths


individual cycle failures

may begin to appear

Stable flow with delays;

less freedom to maneuver


ratio .71 to .80

D 46 to 54 mph

Average spacing: 6

car-lengths



are noticeable

High Density, but stable

flow Volume/Capacity

(V/C) ratio .81 to .90

E

30 to 46 mph

Average spacing: 4

car-lengths

13 to 17 mph

55.1 to 80 seconds;


are frequent; poor

progression

Operating conditions at

or near capacity; unstable

flow Volume/Capacity

(V/C) ratio .91 to 1.00

F

Less than 30 mph

Average spacing:

Bumper to bumper Less than 13 mph

More than 80 seconds;

not acceptable for most

drivers

Forced flow, breakdown

conditions


ratio greater than 1.00

>F

Demand exceeds roadway capacity, limiting volume that can be

carried and forcing excess demand onto parallel routes and extending

the peak period.


ratios of greater than 1.10

(Washington city, 2000)

12 Proposed Dust Monitoring Software

(http://www.pce-instruments.com/english/index.php)

The Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit has been designed to detect the pollution level

in air. The Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit is used to detect high pollution rates

which can be found in cities and workplaces. The Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit

has a LCD graphics panel with backlight (128 x 64 pixels). So, the Dust Measuring Device

Microdust Pro Kit is the only hand held real time dust monitor on the market (with auto

ranging y-axis scale) capable of graphically presenting variations in dust concentration on a

real time scrolling graph.

(Ahmed & Naseem, 2009)

Besides, values can be considered as "Time Weighted Average" (TWA) and as the maximum

value of dust concentration. Previous settings and stored values can be cleared by pressing

the key "Reset" once. The “WinDust Software” is used as a support for memory functions of

the Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit. It has been specially designed to simplify the

process of tools configuration, data recovery and its own representation.

13 References

Punjab Development Statistics, 2009, 35th edition page 370-375, Bureau of Statics,

Government of the Punjab, Lahore.

Pakistan Metrological Dept report,1999

Environmental Health Perspect; vol 108 suppl 1,2000, p 123,31.

Science of the total environment; 189-190,1996,85-89.

International Archives of occupational and environmental health;65(3), 1993.205-207.

In Arch Occup Environmental Health 64(4), 1992,293-301.

Noise & Hearing loss, NIH consensus statement online 1990 Jan 22-24(cited Year, month

,day); 8(1),1-24.

CFR 1926.52,office of the Federal Register National Archives & records

Administration,USA,1999.

Press Release on New Environmentally Safe Technology for Dust Control, EPA,USA, June

27,2000.

US EPA office of Air & Readiation 1996, National Air Quality, Status & trends.

Ann Mignel &Glen Cass, American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science &

Technology,Dec 1999.

Fay,T.H. Noise & Health , NY Academy of Medicine, 1991.

Deacon Aretal Science of the Total environment 203(1),1997 17-36.

Environmental Tech 16(1),1995 45-53.

Washington city, 2000

computerized monitoring of noise & dust levels at different road

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