Abstract:
Noise pollution is one of the major environmental problems in many urban cities in Asian Countries. In Sri Lanka as well, the number of vehicles registered per year has reached 6.33 million by the end of Feb 2016. Present traffic volume in Matara city is almost double than the particular value in October 2012. The increase of number of vehicles directly contributes to raise the city noise. The main objective of this study is to update the existing noise map in Matara city. The area surrounding the commercial area of the city including the roads A2, A24 and B275 was considered in the study. The noise descriptor, A-weighted equivalent noise level, LAeq, was measured using B&K Type-2250 hand held analyzer.
Field measurements were logged in to five minutes period (LAeq, 300s) continuously at each location and a total of 95 locations were selected covering the area in Matara city. LAeq were measured at both sides of the roads from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm in each day for a period of one week in July, 2016 and noise contours in Matara city were produced. Results show that LAeq varies from 58 ±5.4 dB up to 89±5.4 dB within the commercial area of Matara city, which is exceeding the maximum allowed level of 63 dB. 82±1.0 % of the total area of 6.43 km2 studied, the noise level was greater than 65 dB. The densely populated area 40±1.0 % in the city lies within the noise contours of 65-70 dB. Along the A2 and B275 roads, LAeq is more than 80 dB, especially due to high traffic volume. During the last three years in Matara city, noise level has increased by 10% and the noise contours are extended by 20% deeper. The results suggest that necessary regulations have to be imposed to control the noise pollution and to protect the economic value of the city.
