Measurement of Traffic Noise and Traffic Volume on Major Junctions along East-West Road, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This study investigated noise pollution level during peak and low traffic hours in six junctions along East west road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria with specific objectives to identify peak(rush) and low (non-rush) traffic period, measure the traffic noise level during peak and low traffic hours, to compare the noise level with international best standards and determine the variation in noise level at peak and low traffic periods across all junctions hence touch lighting the adverse effect of too much or unwanted sound on the environment and also human well-being as generated by vehicular movements. An integrated noise level meter (MEXTECH-805) was used to measure the equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) for a period of six days between 8a.m to 9a.m and 12pm to 1pm. A vehicle count was done to determine the number of vehicles per hour passing through each junction at the early hours and in the mid-day which made evident the low and peak traffic periods and that vehicle flow affects traffic noise considering results of noise measured. Results showed noise level during peak traffic period were all above the recommended exposure threshold for both WHO and FMEnv standard. The range in values of the Leq at peak traffic were, for Eleme junction (90dB- 97.1dB), Rumuodara junction (89.2dB -96.4 dB), Eliozu junction (89.9dB - 98.8dB), Nkpolu junction (92.8dB-101dB), Choba junction (92.8Db-99.3Db) and Alakahia junction (90dB-99.6dB). However, for the low traffic period from (12pm to 1pm), the result showed a drastic reduction in the level of noise generated from traffic at later hours of the day. Eleme junction recorded an equivalent (Leq) noise level range of (60dB-70.4dB), Eliozu junction (59.9dB-70dB), Nkpolu junction (61.9dB -78.8dB), (59.8dB-70.1dB) for Choba junction and (63.2dB - 69.2dB) for Alakahia junction. Mean noise generated in all junctions during low traffic period were below the threshold level for the World Health Organization and other regulations. The mean equivalent noise level for peak traffic reveals that Eleme is the least with 64.2dB then Eliozu junction with 65.8dB followed closely by Choba junction with 65db while Nkpolu, Rumuodara and Alakahia junctions had 66dB, 66.3dB and 67dB respectively. For peak traffic, Rumuodara junction proved to have the least of noise generated at 92.1dB followed by Choba with 93.9dB and Alakahia with 94.5dB while Eliozu, Eleme, and Nkpolu junctions had the highest noise generated with 95.2dB, 95.5dB, and 96.9dB respectively.