Abstract
Using noise prediction models, we explored the transportation noise
levels of Youngdeungpo-gu, an urbanized area of Seoul Metropolitan
City in the Republic of Korea. In addition, we estimated the population
exposed to transportation noise levels and determined how many people
are vulnerable to noise levels that would cause serious annoyance
and sleep disturbance. Compared with the World Health Organization
WHO recommended levels, the daytime and nighttime transportation
noise levels were still high enough to have the two psychosocial
effects on people when considering the recommended levels of the
World Health Organization (WHO; 55 decibels dBA and 40 dBA
for daytime and nighttime, respectively). Particularly, nighttime
transportation noise was discovered to be harmful to a wider area
and more people than daytime noise. Approximately 91% of the Youngdeungpo-gu
area experienced nighttime transportation noise levels exceeding
those recommended by WHO. It was estimated that as much as 80% of
the people in the study area were exposed to transportation noise
levels > 40 dBA during nighttime. Taking this into account, there
is an urgent need to control and reduce transportation noise levels
in Seoul, to protect residents against the potential ill health effects
caused by urban transportation.
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