Assessment of traffic noise pollution at residential and school areas in Jeli, Kelantan

Abstract

The development of roads interconnects communities and has become important for economic and social development. Higher traffic noise level is often reflected by the increase in the number of vehicles. This paper discussed the relationship between noise level and vehicle density in the study area. The aim of this study was to assess the traffic noise pollution occurring in the residential and school areas in Jeli, Kelantan. The traffic noise measurement was collected using a sound level meter for three consecutive months (July, August and September 2023). The traffic volume was recorded by traffic surveying. The assessments were carried out from 8.00 a.m – 8.00 p.m. The recorded noise levels were compared with the permissible limit (Malaysian noise limit). The highest noise level recorded was 85.9 dBA, well over the permissible limit of 60 dBA by DOE. This was due to the high number of vehicles passing by the road in the study area and the highest number of vehicles recorded was 4976 during sampling time in July at Kg Gemang. Overall, the traffic noise assessments for this study were beyond the standard limit set by DOE during daytime. This considerably high noise could lead to other health effects for the residents.