Computerized Monitoring Of Noise & Dust Levels 1
COMPUTERIZED MONITORING OF NOISE & DUST LEVELS
Computerized Monitoring of Noise & Dust Levels at Different Road Crossings of
Lahore
Shahid Naseem
National College of Business Administration & Economics, Lahore
Abstract
The vehicles emission represents the greatest source of noise and dust pollution in Lahore.
There are 19, 44,709 approximately [Punjab Development Statistics, 2009] vehicles on the
roads of the Lahore. A noise measure is done through “Digital Sound Level Meter” to
determine the existing noise level in the area. It is important to determine the source of the
noise, as there may be other non-highway noise sources especially in commercial areas. The
Dust Measure is done through “Device Microdust Pro Kit” [http://www.pce-
instruments.com/english/index.php n.d.] to detect the pollution level in air. A computer
program “Traffic Noise Model (TNM)” [http://english.exair.com/optimization/sound level
meter.php n.d.] is real help to measure noise and “Windust Computer Software” for data
recovery and its presentation.
1 Introduction
a) Air Pollution
Air pollution is the term used to describe the presence in the atmosphere of one or more air
contaminants in quantity that will be injurious to or unreasonably interfere with public health
welfare and the natural and environmental process. Today many people regard air and noise
pollution as a problem that cannot be eliminated but one that could get worse in the future.
The massive increase in urban traffic has contributes to air & noise pollution in the majority
of developing countries and since the awareness level regarding the adverse health impact of
air pollution is low the problem is rapidly expanding. (EPA, 2000),
[URL:http://www.aqmd.gov/tao/roaddust.html.n.d]
b) Noise Pollution
Noise pollution means that unwanted and damaging sound pollute the environment. Noise is
one of the most widely and most frequently experienced problems of the urbanized areas.
Common source of Noise are road traffic, aircrafts, road equipments, industrial noise, railway
stations.
Effects of noise pollution are:
Noise pollution can make people nervous.
It can prevent people from sleeping.
It can change a man’s physiological state by speeding up pulse and respiratory
rates.
It can damage the sense of hearing permanently or temporarily.
It can also influence blood circulation and cause stress and other psychological
effects.
2 Climate Situation of Lahore
Climate situation in Lahore as compared to Rawalpindi/Islamabad is as under:-
Climate Variable
s
Lahore Rawalpin
di
Islamaba
d
Annual avg.
wind speed
1.98 m/s 0.98 m/s 0.93 m/s
Annual avg.
temperature
23.8 c0 21.3 c
0 21.3 c
0
Mean Annual
Rainfall
500-1000
mm
1000-2000 mm 2000-3000
mm
Emission
source
No. of
Vehicles
549,625 117,465 8,894
Transport
fuel usage
Petrol 351,430 m/tons 61,223 m/tons 30,473 m/tons
Diesel 860,275 m/tons 10,338 m/tons 17,633 m/tons
CNG 330,717
h/m3
162,638 h/m3 63,897 h/m
3
[Pakistan Metrological Dept,1999]
In Lahore city, the noise pollution is very common due to the vehicle horns, low maintenance
quality etc. Especially the people near the busy road crossings are very much affected due the
traffic noise. A distractive feature of the Lahore Metropolitan City’s vehicle population in
trucks, buses, vans, three wheel vehicles which are mostly driven by two stroke engines. Four
road crossings were selected to monitor the dust and noise levels i.e. Club Chowk Model
Town, Yateem Khana Chowk, Qurtba Chowk and Yadgar Chowk. Club chowk Model Town
was less polluted as compare to other three road crossings in terms of noise and dust
pollution. (saxena, 1998)
3 Statement of the Problem
In Lahore, as in most other cities, vehicular pollution is the main culprit for air and noise
pollution. The vehicle boom has spelt doom for the city. The road space being limited, the
growing number of vehicles forces low gear driving, pushing up the pollutant levels to an
undesirable limit. The absence of a strong public transport system, failure of pollution control
norms, poor quality of fuel and ignorance of vehicle maintenance all have contributed to the
environmental mess.
There is sufficient scientific data available to substantiate that chronic low-grade noise
pollution can cause hearing loss, annoyance, high blood pressure, heart attack diseases and
sleep disturbances. Any sound pollution of above 85dB is very annoying to the body and if a
person is exposed for up to 8 hours it can cause hearing damage.
Dust can also be a nuisance since it can cause irritation in the eyes and various allergies. Dust
particles in the air can be breathed into lung tissue and can cause an increase in respiratory
diseases.
4 Objective of the Study
To monitor the level of noise and dust on the following three selected busy road crossings.
For comparison samples from relatively less polluted area will also be monitored.
o Qurtaba Chowk (Location 1)
o Yadgar Chowk (Location 2)
o Yateem Khana Chowk (Location 3)
o Club Chowk, Model Town (Location 4)
To compare the results with previous studies done on these crossings.
To reveal the adverse effects of these air pollutants through literature.
To suggest measures to reduce the dust and noise pollution on these road crossings.
5 Features of Digital Noise Level Meter
Data was collected regarding Total Particulate Matter (TPM) and dust from each location
eight hours daily. The timings for data collection were 08:30 A.M to 12:30 P.M in the
morning and 01:00 P.M to 05:00 P.M in evening. Noise readings were collected directly from
field with the help of “Digital Sound Level Meter” where as for total suspended particulates
(TSP), the relative proportion was separated from the filters and analyzed at the centre for the
improvement of working conditions Govt. of the Punjab Lahore. The features of Digital
Sound Level Meter are as follows:-
Measures sound level range from 35dB - 130dB
Frequency range 31.5Hz - 8kHz
A and C weightings (check your location for compliance with safety regulations
and acoustic analysis)
Slow (1 sec) and fast (125ms) response settings to check peak and average noise
levels
Maximum hold feature to measure peak sound levels
Accuracy is ± 1.5dB
NIST Certification
Large four digit LCD display in 0.1dB steps with backlight
Battery life is 50 hours (typical) with low battery alert
Automatic power off after 15 minutes of non-use
Meets CE, ANSI and IEC Type 2 SLM standards
Tripod mounting ideal for taking long term measurements (tripod not included)
Removable windscreen for use in windy conditions to reduce misreads Includes
protective carrying case, 9V battery, instruction manual and removable windscreen.
[http://english.exair.com/optimization/sound level meter.php.n.d]
a. Morning Readings
At morning the highest noise reading in Qurtaba Chowk (93.30 dB) at 12:00 noon. In Yadgar
chowk, the highest reading level was 101 dB, which is noted at 12:15 P.M. In Yateem Khana
Chowk, the highest noise reading was 102dB noted at 10:00 A.M and in Club chowk in the
morning times the highest noise reading was noted at 10:45 A.M which is 86.6 dB (The
decibel (dB) is used to measure sound level).
b. Evening Readings
Evening the highest noise reading in Qurtaba Chowk (100 dB) at 4:30 P.M. In Yadgar
chowk, the highest reading level was 100.7 dB, which is noted at 3:45 P.M. In Yateem Khana
Chowk, the highest noise reading was 93.5 dB noted at 4:45 P.M and in Club chowk in the
morning times the highest noise reading was noted at 1:00 P.M which is 83.6 dB (The decibel
(dB) is used to measure sound level).
c. Total Suspended Particulates
The level of total suspended particulates was highest in all the selected points in Yadgar
Chowk which is 395 ppb(part per billion). On the day data collection the humidity level was
48.2% and the temperature level was 32.1C.Qurtaba Chowk shows the second highest level
with suspended particulates 330ppb, humidity level was 52.4% and temperature level was
29.5C. At Yateem Khana Chowk, the total suspended particulates were 240ppb, humidity
47% and temperature was 30.2C. At Club Chowk the total suspended particulates was
165ppb, humidity 56.2% and temperature was 27.7C.
Table 5: Metrological Report for Humidity and Temperature Levels on The Data Collection
Day
Date Humidity Level Temperature
5:00
AM
8:00
AM
5:00
PM
Maximu
m
Minimu
m
27/03/201
1 67 59 29 32.5 10.3
29/03/201
1 72 65 45 30 10.8
31/03/201
1 85 76 53 26.4 15.3
02/04/201
1 73 62 38 32.2 18.4
03/04/201
1 69 54 32 32.4 20
10/04/201
1 53 42 29 36.7 23.5
Frequencies Noise Levels (Morning) Table#6
Statistics
QC
Y
C YKC CC
N
Vali
d 16 16 16 16
Miss
ing 0 0 0 0
Mean
89.
4000
93.
9312
90.26
88
77.
9563
Median
88.
9000
93.
7000
89.70
00
77.
9500
Mode
88.
9000
92.
3000
83.50
00
69.
4000
Std
Deviation
2.8
100
3.2
629
4.658
1
3.7
342
Variance
7.8
960
10.
6463
21.69
83
13.
9440
Range
10.
0000
11.
9000
18.10
00
17.
2000
Minimum
83.
9000
88.
8000
83.60
00
69.
4000
Maximum
93.
9000
10
0.7000
101.6
000
86.
6000
Frequencies Noise Levels (Evening) Table#7
Statistics
Q
C YC YKC CC
N
Vali
d 16 16 16 16
Miss
ing 0 0 0 0
Mean
91.
2000
93.
8375
87.00
00
77.1
938
Median
91.
0500
93.
7000
89.70
00
77.1
500
Std
Deviation
3.6
231
3.2
629
4.658
1
3.58
32
Variance
13.
1267
10.
6463
21.69
83
12.8
393
Range
13.
8000
11.
9000
18.10
00
13.9
000
Minimum
86.
2000
88.
8000
83.60
00
69.7
000
Maximum
10
0.0000
100
.7000
101.6
000
83.6
000
As for as the Standard Deviation of the noise from all the four road crossings is concerned, in
the morning time, we note that the standard deviation in Yateem Khan Chowk is greater and
in the evening time, standard deviation in Qurtaba Chowk is higher.
6 Comparison
a. Comparison with Japan Standard
Comparing with Japanese Standard at 200ug/m3(1hr) (Microgram/cubic meter) or WHO
guideline at 120ug/m3 for SPM(suspended particulates Matter). TSP data in 4 selected road
crossing shows TSP level exceeds 3.64 times in Qurtaba chowk, 1. 5 times Yateem Khana
Chowk in morning hours. On the basis of evening time results shows that TSP in Qurtaba
Chowk exceeds 1.94 times, 1.24 times in Yadgar Chowk, 3.22 times in Yateem Khana
Chowk.
Classification by
Region
Time Period
Daytime Mornings and
Evenings
Night time
Area in Category A
facing two –lane road
55dB or less 50dB or
less
45dB or
less
Area in Category
A facing road with
three or more lanes
69dB or less 55dB or
less
50dB or
less
Area in Category B
facing road with below
two lanes
65dB or less 60dB or
less
55dB or
less
Area in Category B
facing road with two or
more lanes.
65dB or less 65dB or
less
60dB or
less
(Environment Agency Government of Japan, April 1999)
b. Comparison with WHO Standard
Comparing with WHO shows that TSP exceeds 6.1 times in Qutaba Chowk, 1.1 times in
Yadgar chowk 2.4 times in Yateem Khana Chowk, 1.4 times in Club Chowk in the day time
and evening results shows that 3.2 times in Qurtaba Chowk, 2.1 in Yadgar chowk, 5.4 in
Yateem Khana Chowk.
Recommended Noise Management Measures (WHO guidelines for community Noise)
Legal Measures Examples
Control of noise emissions Emission standards for road and off-road vehicles.
Noise mapping and zoning
around road, airports and
industries
Initiation of monitoring and modelling programmes.
Control of noise emissions Limits for exposure levels such as national emission
standards; noise monitoring and modelling, regulations
for complex noise situations.
Speed limits Residential areas, hospitals etc.
Enforcement of regulations Low noise implementation plan.
Engineering Measures
Emission reduction by source
modification.
Tyre profiles; low-noise surface; changes in engine
properties
New engine technology Road vehicles; aircraft
Traffic management Speed limits; guidance of traffic flow by electronic
means.
Passive protection Ear plugs; ear muffs etc
Implementation of land-use
planning
Minimum distance between industrial, busy roads and
residential areas, by-pass roads for heavy traffic.
Education & Information
Raising public awareness Informing the public on the health impacts of noise,
enforcement action taken, noise levels, complaints.
Sufficient number of noise
experts
University or high school curricula
Initiation of research and
development
Funding of information generation according to
scientific research needs.
Initiation of behaviour
changes
Speed reduction when driving, use of horns etc.
(US.EPA 1990)
7 Justification for Selected Points
1. Qurtaba Chowk
Qurtaba Chowk was selected for noise and total suspended particles monitoring because it is
at the center of a major commercial area of the city and has a heavy traffic load. The traffic at
this point presents a mixture of petrol and diesel vehicles. In addition, Qurtaba Chowk has
traffic signals at each corner there and the vehicles after changing the signal to green color
emit higher concentration of suspended particles.
2. Yadgar Chowk
The crossing was selected because all the traffic entering the city and leaving for
Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Northern areas normally passes it.
3. Yateem khana chowk
Chowk Yateem Khana is one of the busiest crossings in Lahore and presents a mixture of
petrol and diesel driven vehicles, including passenger cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, buses,
trucks, wagons and long vehicles. Because it connects to motorway, Multan road and to inner
city of Lahore.
4. Club Chowk
Club Chowk was selected because to measure and compare the noise and total suspended
particles levels in a residential cum commercial area of the city. This crossing is thought to be
less polluted with reference to noise and dust pollution.
8 Methodology
1. The Measurement of Noise
Many different types of instruments are in use for noise level measurement. The most widely
used is the “Sound Level Meter”. A sound level meter is an instrument for the measurement
for sound level, which is one of the basic measures used to rate noise sources. The unit of
sound level is called decibel (dB).
2. Method for Noise Level Monitoring & Sampling of Particulate Matter
Noise readings were noted after each 15 minutes (32 readings) during 8 hours monitoring
shift from each location, 2 samples of dust 4 hourly each were collected from each location.
The specification of the equipment use for the noise readings and dust samples is as under:-
3. Sample Collection Instrument for Dust.
Polyvinyl Chloride filters are used in high flow pumps for total dust sampling. Using SKC
Air Sample Pump (serial No. 511456) and Cat. No(224-PACXR3 SKC Filter Cassette) with
filter Millipore Corporation Pat No. (2879,207).
9 CONCLUSIONS
1. Noise Monitoring
This study concludes that the noise level gauged at different areas of Lahore at different times
of the day was higher than the permissible level. At Qurtaba Chowk, it was 1.38 times higher
that the permissible level and at Yadgar Chowk, it was 1.45 times more than the permissible
level. While at Yateem Khana Chowk, it was 1.19 times higher than what is normally
allowed. The study also highlights a lack of regular noise level monitoring system in the city,
aggravated by a dearth of any noise protection mechanism, which expose the public to high
levels of noise pollution.
2. Recommendations
The goal of noise management is to maintain low noise exposure, such that human health and
well-being are protected. The specific objectives of noise management are to develop criteria
for the maximum safe noise exposure levels and to promote noise assessment and control as
part of environmental health programmes.
This is not always achieved (Japan 1998), United Nations Agenda 21(UNCED 1992), as well
as the European Charter on Transport, Environment and Health (London Charter 1999), both
support a number of environmental management principles on which Government policies,
including noise management policies can be based. These include:
The precautionary principle: In all cases, noise should be reduced to the lowest
level achievable in a particular situation. Where there is a reasonable possibility that
public health will be damaged, action should be taken to protect public health
without awaiting full scientific proof.
The Polluter pays principle: The full costs associated with noise pollution
(including monitoring, management, lowering levels and supervision) should be met
by those responsible for the source of noise.
The Prevention principle: Action should be taken where possible to reduce noise at
the source. Land-use planning should be guided by an environmental health impact
assessment that considers noise as well as other pollutants.
The following recommendations were considered appropriate for Noise Management.
o The Government should consider the protection of population from community noise
as an integral part of their policy for environmental protection.
o The Government should consider implementing action plans with short-term,
medium-term and long-term objectives for reducing noise levels.
o The Government should include noise as an important issue when assessing public
health matters and support more research related to the health effects of noise
exposure.
o Legislation should be enacted to reduce sound pressure levels and existing legislation
should be enforced.
o Municipalities should develop low-noise implementation plans.
o Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses should be considered as potential
instruments when making management decisions.
o The Government should support more policy-relevant research into noise pollution.
o More research in occupational and ambient noise levels and their links with disease
patterns should be searched.
3. Dust Monitoring
The present study concludes that the amount of suspended particulate matter at four different
places in Lahore far exceeds the total permissible level both in morning and evening time.
10 Recommendation
No proper ambient air quality standards are being developed in Pakistan. There is a
strong need to develop the air quality standards regarding the dust pollution as a
public health problem.
There is a strong need to identify the common sources of the dust pollution so that
the people should know about the major sources of dust pollution.
There is a strong need to educate the traffic controllers performing their duties on the
hot spots and on busy road crossings about adverse health effects of the dust problem
and the methods and ways from which these traffic controllers can save themselves
from dust pollution. They should use masks while performing their duties and other
method to protect their health.
The Government should consider implementing action plans with short-term,
medium-term and long-term objectives for reducing particulate matter levels
11 Proposed Noise Monitoring Program
A computer program “TNM (Traffic Noise Model)” may be implemented to forecast the
level of noise in the future. The computer program uses predicted worst-case traffic volumes,
the percentage of trucks, and travel speeds to generate noise levels.
Worst-case traffic related to highway noise is not a traffic jam. When there is a traffic jam,
the vehicles do not move as fast as they normally would if there was no jam, and therefore do
not make as much noise. The level of service (LOS) of a roadway characterizes the traffic
performance measures related to speed and travel time, traffic interruptions. The levels of
service range from LOS A (least congested) to LOS F (most congested) as shown below:
(http://english.exair.com/optimization/sound level meter.php)
Highway traffic noise is worst in LOS D, as this is when the roadway is nearing capacity.
Although the vehicles may not be moving very fast, they are all moving and are doing so at a
steady speed. This is the point at which any more vehicle additions will result in an unstable
flow of traffic (stop-and-go traffic).
Other factors accounted for in the computer program are the distance of the receptors from
the proposed highway and the physical features such as hills, valleys, buildings, or other
obstructions that would affect how the noise would travel to the receptors.
Roadway Level-Of-Service (LOS) Ratings
LO
S
Description Speed(mp
h) Flow
(veh./hour/lane) Density
(veh./mile)
A Traffic flows at or above the posted
speed limit and all motorists have
complete mobility between lanes.
Over 60 Under 700 Under 12
B Slightly congested, with some
impingement of manoeuvrability. Two
motorists might be forced to drive side
by side, limiting lane changes.
57-
60
700-1,100 12-20
C Ability to pass or change lanes is not
assured. Most experienced drivers are
comfortable, and posted speed is
maintained, but roads are close to
capacity. This is often the target LOS
for urban highways.
54-
57
1,100-1,550 20-30
D Typical of an urban highway during
commuting hours. Speeds are somewhat
reduced, motorists are hemmed in by
other cars and trucks.
46-
54
1,550-1,850 30-42
E Flow becomes irregular and speed
varies rapidly, but rarely reaches the
posted limit. On highways this is
consistent with a road over its designed
capacity.
30-
46
1,850-2,000 42-67
F Flow is forced; every vehicle moves in
lockstep with the vehicle in front of it,
with frequent drops in speed to nearly
zero mph. A road for which the travel
time cannot be predicted.
Und
er 30
Unstable 67-
Maximum
(wikipedia)
Road and Intersection Level-Of-Service (LOS)
L
O
S
Freeway(assuming
70 mph design
speed)
Arterial(assuming
typical 40 mph free
flow speed)
Signalized
Intersections
(average controlled
delay per vehicle)
Traffic Flow
Characteristics
A Greater than 60
mph Average
spacing: 22 car-
lengths
Greater than 35 mph Less than 10 seconds;
most vehicles do not
stop at all
Virtually free flow;
completely unimpeded
Volume/Capacity (V/C)
ratio less than of equal to
.60
B 57 to 60 mph
Average spacing:
13 car-lengths
28 to 35 mph 10.1 to 20 seconds;
more vehicles stop than
LOS A
Stable flow with slight
delays; reasonably
unimpeded
Volume/Capacity (V/C)
ratio .61 to .70
C 54 to 57 mph
Average spacing: 9
car-lengths
22 to 28 mph 20.1 to 35 seconds;
individual cycle failures
may begin to appear
Stable flow with delays;
less freedom to maneuver
Volume/Capacity (V/C)
ratio .71 to .80
D 46 to 54 mph
Average spacing: 6
car-lengths
17 to 22 mph 35.1 to 55 seconds;
individual cycle failures
are noticeable
High Density, but stable
flow Volume/Capacity
(V/C) ratio .81 to .90
E
30 to 46 mph
Average spacing: 4
car-lengths
13 to 17 mph
55.1 to 80 seconds;
individual cycle failures
are frequent; poor
progression
Operating conditions at
or near capacity; unstable
flow Volume/Capacity
(V/C) ratio .91 to 1.00
F
Less than 30 mph
Average spacing:
Bumper to bumper Less than 13 mph
More than 80 seconds;
not acceptable for most
drivers
Forced flow, breakdown
conditions
Volume/Capacity (V/C)
ratio greater than 1.00
>F
Demand exceeds roadway capacity, limiting volume that can be
carried and forcing excess demand onto parallel routes and extending
the peak period.
Volume/Capacity (V/C)
ratios of greater than 1.10
(Washington city, 2000)
12 Proposed Dust Monitoring Software
(http://www.pce-instruments.com/english/index.php)
The Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit has been designed to detect the pollution level
in air. The Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit is used to detect high pollution rates
which can be found in cities and workplaces. The Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit
has a LCD graphics panel with backlight (128 x 64 pixels). So, the Dust Measuring Device
Microdust Pro Kit is the only hand held real time dust monitor on the market (with auto
ranging y-axis scale) capable of graphically presenting variations in dust concentration on a
real time scrolling graph.
(Ahmed & Naseem, 2009)
Besides, values can be considered as "Time Weighted Average" (TWA) and as the maximum
value of dust concentration. Previous settings and stored values can be cleared by pressing
the key "Reset" once. The “WinDust Software” is used as a support for memory functions of
the Dust Measuring Device Microdust Pro Kit. It has been specially designed to simplify the
process of tools configuration, data recovery and its own representation.
13 References
Punjab Development Statistics, 2009, 35th edition page 370-375, Bureau of Statics,
Government of the Punjab, Lahore.
Pakistan Metrological Dept report,1999
Environmental Health Perspect; vol 108 suppl 1,2000, p 123,31.
Science of the total environment; 189-190,1996,85-89.
International Archives of occupational and environmental health;65(3), 1993.205-207.
In Arch Occup Environmental Health 64(4), 1992,293-301.
Noise & Hearing loss, NIH consensus statement online 1990 Jan 22-24(cited Year, month
,day); 8(1),1-24.
CFR 1926.52,office of the Federal Register National Archives & records
Administration,USA,1999.
Press Release on New Environmentally Safe Technology for Dust Control, EPA,USA, June
27,2000.
US EPA office of Air & Readiation 1996, National Air Quality, Status & trends.
Ann Mignel &Glen Cass, American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science &
Technology,Dec 1999.
Fay,T.H. Noise & Health , NY Academy of Medicine, 1991.
Deacon Aretal Science of the Total environment 203(1),1997 17-36.
Environmental Tech 16(1),1995 45-53.
Washington city, 2000