TRAFFIC NOISE LEVEL EVALUATION AT MAJOR INTERSECTIONS IN SABON-GARI LGA IN ZARIA METROPOLITAN CITY OF KADUNA, NIGERIA.

Abstract

One of the indicators of environmental degradation globally is noise pollution. Therefore, there is a demand to expand the understanding of the magnitude of the noise level in other to mitigate the consequences of its impact. This has necessitated this study in ascertaining the traffic noise level in nine (9) selected intersections at Sabon-Gari LGA in the interval of 7:30-8:30 AM, 1:00-2:00 PM, 5-6 PM, and 10-11 PM using the Extech model 407750. The diurnal noise indicators for the day time (LD), evening time (LE), night time interval (LN),and the noise equivalent for LD, LE and LN represented as LDEN exceeded the World health organization (WHO) and National Environmental standards regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) standard. The L(DEN ranged from 88.0 dB (A) at ABU main gate (2) to 9 7.2 dB (A) at the Kwangila site (1). Which exceeded the 70 dB (A) of the WHO standard and 75 dB (A ) of the NESREA standard. The Traffic Noise index (TNI) average ranged from 116.4 dB (A) at the Kwangila site (1) to 101.5 dB (A) at MTD which exceeded the compared standard of 74 dB (A) while the Noise pollution (LPN) ranged from 108.3 dB (A) at Kwangila to 96.5 dB (A) at Emanto junction which exceeded the compared standard of 72 dB (A). The single factor ANOVA for the noise percentiles between L10 and L90 showed that there is a significant difference as P<0.05, while there is no significant difference between TNI and LNP as P>0.05 at a confidence level of 95%. The noise level exceeded the compared standards. Adequate soundproofing and public awareness would serve as mitigating measures.