Noise Pollution Assessment in Khoramabad to Presenting Executive Strategies to Control or Reduce It

The main objective of the research is to study noise pollution in Khorram Abad, presenting executive strategies to control or reduce it. Therefore, 38 stations were selected at the region to measure the noise level round-the-clock, and the samples were also taken for a week in the middle of spring and summer, 2007. The measurements were carried out during the day (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM) and night (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM). The measured noise parameters in the sampling stations were Lmin, Lmax, Leq, and Spl, and then also calculated using the formulas TNI, LN (L1, L10, L50, and L90), Ldn. The noise average equal levels obtained at the sampling stations were compared with the standard ones in Iran. At all stations, such values were more than the national standards. Moreover, 500 questionnaires (250 in spring and 250 in summer) were analyzed to study the resident's level of awareness and discontentment when facing noise pollution. Statistical analyses of the questionnaires showed a significant relationship between the men variable and nervousness, also between the women variable and the headache caused by traffic noises (in both seasons). The measured noise parameters in both spring and summer, also during days and nights in both seasons separately were statistically analyzed. The sampling stations at the three districts of the municipality were also analyzed regarding the parameters mentioned. Among the main results obtained by the research was providing noise alignment maps for the parameters Spl, Leq, Lmax, Ldn (for days and nights separately) in both spring and summer, on which the critical regions concerning noise pollution were identified. Then, due to the results obtained from the measurements and their comparing with standard values, and also regarding ways in other countries, suitable strategies were developed.