Road Traffic Noise Exposure in Gothenburg 1975–2010

<div><p>Traffic noise exposure within a city varies over time and space. In this study, we developed a modified noise calculation method and used this method together with population and traffic data to estimate the time trend of noise exposure for the population in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 1975 to 2010. The noise calculation method was based on the standard Nordic method for road traffic noise with modifications using area-level statistics for population and building structures instead of precise geocoding of each inhabitant. Noise emission per vehicle was assumed to be constant over the period. The results show an increase in noise exposure over time. The number of inhabitants exposed at an equivalent level above 55 dB increased from 93000 to 146000 inhabitants between 1975 and 2010, and the percentage of the population exposed at this level increased from 22% to 29% over the same period. Traffic increase (1.4% per year) and population increase/concentration (0.50% per year) were approximately equally important factors behind this increase in exposure.</p></div

Number of persons exposed above 55, 60 and 65 dB <i>L</i>_<i>den</i>, calculated from the official Environmental Noise Directive (END) noise map of Gothenburg compared to calculations using the modified method.

<p>Number of persons exposed above 55, 60 and 65 dB <i>L</i>_<i>den</i>, calculated from the official Environmental Noise Directive (END) noise map of Gothenburg compared to calculations using the modified method.</p

Time trend of number of exposed individual above equivalent level 55 dB comparing the default calculation to no traffic change and no population change.

<p>Time trend of number of exposed individual above equivalent level 55 dB comparing the default calculation to no traffic change and no population change.</p

Time trend of number of individuals exposed above equivalent level 55, 60 and 65 dB.

<p>Time trend of number of individuals exposed above equivalent level 55, 60 and 65 dB.</p

Map of the number of persons exposed above equivalent level 55 dB per square kilometer.

<p>Geometrically avaraged with a Gaussian kernel. Road lines and water boundaries obtained from Lantmäteriet (agreement number l2014/00696).</p

Number of persons in different exposure categories in two test areas, calculated both with the standard Nordic method using full information and the proposed modified method using limited information.

<p>Number of persons in different exposure categories in two test areas, calculated both with the standard Nordic method using full information and the proposed modified method using limited information.</p

Time trend of percentage of population exposed above equivalent level 55, 60 and 65 dB.

<p>Time trend of percentage of population exposed above equivalent level 55, 60 and 65 dB.</p

Illustration of estimation strategy for time trend of traffic flow.

<p>Illustration of estimation strategy for time trend of traffic flow.</p

Number of persons exposed above 55, 60 and 65 dB equivalent level for 1975 and 2010.

<p>Number of persons exposed above 55, 60 and 65 dB equivalent level for 1975 and 2010.</p

Vibration and noise parameters applied to individual trains.

<p>Vibration and noise parameters applied to individual trains.</p