Assessment of Noise from Transportation Systems in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Noise from transportation systems is unavoidable in urban areas and can be harmful to human health. The noise generated by selected transportations systems in Ilorin, an urban area in central Nigeria, was studied by direct measurements and the use of questionnaires. Measurements were taken at the airport, train station and different locations for vehicular traffic. Questionnaires were also administered on residents of these areas to elicit information on the perception of transportation noise in the areas. The results show that all the studied locations produced maximum noise levels in excess of the 85-dBA acceptable tolerable limit for humans. The train station produced the highest stepwise noise levels due to the motion and horning of the locomotive engines. The study also established distances in which the sound level is safe over a specific period of time for each of the studied noise sources. These are of 18.84 m, 161.21 m, 13.85 m and 15.08 m for aircraft take-off, movement and horning of railway locomotive engine and vehicular traffic inside and outside town respectively. Suggested solutions were that residential buildings, academic areas and hospitals should not be located too close to sources of transportation noise and the need for enforcement of relevant noise control laws is to be pursued.