Study of Vehicular Delay and Noise Pollution at Signalized Intersection of Agartala City, India

摘要

Most of the cities in India are facing serious noise pollution and delay problems due to the concentration of motor vehicles and human population within the confined urban areas. Agartala, capital of Tripura, India is also facing traffic congestion particularly in the different signalized road intersection due to rapid and uncontrolled development by an unacceptable level of disparity in transportation demand and supply scenario. The study presents the status of vehicular delay and noise pollution in 5 (five) important signalized intersections of Agartala city during idling of vehicles. When the vehicles are waiting for their turn to clear the intersection, the drivers normally keep the engines of their vehicles on and unnecessary hoot horns. As a result noise level is also increased particularly at the signalized intersection. The study indicates that the noise level exceeds permissible levels and vehicular delays are high as more than 60 sec/vehicle during peak hour at all important signalized intersections. The study reveals that North Gate intersection is found to be the busiest intersection as well as the noisiest intersection. In North Gate, during daytime noise level is in between 66.7 dB (A) to 108,6 dB (A) and during night time 60.4 dB (A) to 100.9 dB (A) which is ill effective on human health and environment. A direct correlation between vehicular delay versus noise level, traffic volume versus delay and traffic volume versus noise level have been proposed. These equations could be used as an effective tool in traffic management, land use planning and pollution control. After implementation of remedial measures, vehicular delay and noise level of all signalized intersection of Agartala city can be reduced. Delay and noise level at different signalized intersection of Agartala city and strategies to control the noise pollution have been discussed in this paper.