Quantitative study of environmental noise on dovilu village population

Abstract

In today’s life, mechanized industrial and agricultural production, increased traffic flows in cities and settlements are leading to a rapid increase in noise zones. The main source of noise is the noise emitted by vehicles, which is most intense during the day and evening. This noise is considered one of the most important sources of environmental noise, which has a negative impact on human health. 80 % of the environmental noise in cities is caused by the traffic noise. However, in recent years, traffic flows have increased significantly in suburbs. Dovilu village was chosen for noise study as suburb of Klaipeda city. This article presents a quantitative study of Dovilu village inhabitant satisfaction by the current noise level. The aim of the study was to make a quantitative study of the impact of noise in the surrounding area on the population. The questionnaire method for surveys of the sample of 800 correspondents was selected. The research target group is Dovilu urban inhabitants (respondents). The questionnaire was sent to all inhabitants of the city (1300 inhabitants), 800 respondents answered. The quantitative survey results show that 75 percent of the population of the village are faced with the problem of environmental noise. The main source of noise is caused by vehicles, intense noise day and night at a time. As one of the noise management principles of public information, the results of the survey showed that 84 ercent of the respondents even are not enough informed about the current situation of environmental noise. According to the quantitative study it may be concluded: the need for permanent or periodic public awareness of the existing noise levels and expected plans for environmental noise reduction. Given the Dovilu village layout, the possible noise reduction measures are suggested: plantation belts, freight and passenger traffic ban in certain areas of the village and the speed limit.