Assessment of Noise Induced from Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Using Mathematic Quantification Method
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Date
2017-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Railway transport system gives several advantages to the overall development of a country like increased level of passenger or cargo utilization over a limited space, safe and reliable transport with lowest accident rate and others. Although it has such advantages, increased train movements, extended rail operating hours and maintenance activities of railway system might adversely affect residents living or working near the railway route.
Noise induced from the rail transport system is the most usual and major impact on peoples living or working near the railroad. The norm of noise level is affected by vehicle type, traffic speed, distance, gradient and barriers. When the level of noise gets higher, residents living in nearby noise susceptible buildings; like hospitals, clinics, schools, assembly halls might be exposed to annoyance, hearing lose, sleeplessness and damages to their material. The degree of the impact is measured by comparing the existing noise level to the standard limit.
In Addis Ababa different noise susceptible buildings exist near the railway route. The assessment result shows background noise level due to roadways and local activities is higher than the noise level from rail line. The railway operation is added to the existing system does not have a significance change in the noise level induced to nearby buildings. But, the noise impact should be assessed if some improvements are made on the existing system. For instance, if a single train is added to the current train couple system, rail noise will start to have adverse impacts. Also, if headway time is increased to 6 minute, negative impacts might be resulted. When this happens suitable mitigation measures like reallocation and changing building purpose can be suggested.
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Noise, Head time, Adverse impacts, Train couple, susceptible buildings