Impact of Land Use and Traffic Volume on Noise Pollution at Different Unsignalized Intersections

Land use and traffic volume are major contributors to the growing problem of noise pollution in urban and suburban areas worldwide. This study examines the relationship between urban land use patterns, traffic volume, and noise pollution at key intersections in Quetta city, such as Manan (MAN), General Post Office (GPO), Dukani Baba (DKN), Khaizi (KHZ), and Shaheed Nawab Akbar Bugti (SNAB) Intersections. The android application tools such as Traffic volume count and Sound meter was used to record traffic volume and noise levels respectively on both weekdays and weekends. The findings correlate noise levels with land use types (i.e. Residential, Commercial, Institutional and Recreational) and traffic volume, revealing that noise pollution is significantly higher in areas with dense commercial activities. For instance, the noise levels reached 79 dB and 82.7 dB during peak traffic hours at the MAN and KHZ intersections, respectively. This highlights the considerable impact of urban land use and traffic intensity on noise levels. The study underscores the importance of urban planners and policymakers incorporating noise pollution mitigation into development plans, given its impact on the environment and traffic patterns. To address this issue, the study recommended measures such as optimized traffic flow, noise barriers, and zoning with the aim of balancing environmental sustainability with urban growth and improving the quality of life.