Urban uses and noise pollution: challenges for quality of life

The Trade and Service Axes are municipal roads designated for mixed use and occupation. In the municipality of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, the Pedro Taques Avenue Commerce and Service Axis stands out for cutting through the city's largest residential neighborhood. This avenue presents a region with a high density of occupation and another still in the process of development. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that the difference in land use directly influences vehicle traffic and the level of noise generated at the site. Noise monitoring was carried out during peak hours on the road on typical days, vehicles were counted and the type of occupation in the two regions of the avenue was characterized. It was found that the region with the highest occupation density has a higher volume of traffic and more intense noise levels and the population that lives or works in this location is more exposed to noise. Maringá does not have specific legislation that relates the Commerce and Service Axes to the issue of urban noise generation. Therefore, it is understood that studies like these are necessary to promote the dissemination of knowledge on the subject and its inclusion in legislation regarding urban planning.