Abstract
KEYWORDS:
Noise; Pollution; Road; Traffic; Measures.
ABSTRACT:
Road traffic noise is only one type of noise that affects people. It is a concern for more specialists than any other individual source of noise. Studies show that noise levels of 50 dB and more may be very annoying to the people exposed. Traffic noise in a busy street reaches an average of 65 dB. Research results indicate that noise may have a negative impact on human health. Noise may affect sleep, and this again affects health and wellbeing. Noise may increase the risk of cardio-vascular diseases. For persons exposed to continuous noise, measurements have been made that show increased blood pressure and pulse, increased production of stress hormones and greater risk of a number of heart diseases. We studied the traffic noise pollution in one residential area of Brasov city: 13 Decembrie Street - Castanilor Street - Iuliu Maniu Street Intersection. The population living comfort is significantly affected by the high level of urban noise. However, the health population state has not been affected yet by this kind of pollution. The maximum and medium values of the noise level are frequently higher than the allowable limits in this area. Noise reducing measures are: promotion of tyres that produce less noise; speed limits in selected urban areas; better asphalt quality; wall barriers; establishment of noise walls; traffic calming in urban areas, for instance by concentrating traffic in fewer streets; interdictions or restrictions on heavy-duty vehicles in specific protected urban zones; noise insulation of building facades.