The Spatial Analysis for Determining Vehicle Noise Pollution Levels in the City of Khartoum – Sudan

Abstract

Abstract: The context of this research is a part of the environmental problem studies in cities that leads suits the priorities in environment, development, economic and societal studies. The noise pollution with the other environmental pollutions raised as humanitarian issue, especially in cities, which are suffering from traffic congestion. Noise pollution in Khartoum accelerated daily attributed to many factors, mainly the increasing number of vehicles that became beyond the capacity f the streets as well as the tradition system of the traffic. The main aim of this research is to produce maps for the vehicle Noise Pollution levels in Khartoum city with association to traffic densities. Two locations from the Khartoum east had been selected: Location (A) lies between sixty and Ubied Khatim streets, while location (B) lies between Mohamed Nageeb and Sahafa Zalt streets. Global Position System (GPS) device was used for collecting field points that initiated the data required for the analysis. On the other hand, Disciple unit had been used for measuring the noise readings all over the study area. 220 readings had been covered and manipulated for this study. Traffic flow statistically analyzed following the different times per day, i.e. (7 – 9 am) (12 – 2 pm) and (5 – 7 pm) for accountings the vehicles by types. Geographical Information System (GIS) methods had been used for the analytical views to generate noise pollution levels maps. Results showed that there was a different in Noise Pollution Levels between the two locations and in both locations the levels of the pollution was exceeded the permission levels according to the WHO that equivalent 45-50 (dB) morning and 30-45 (dB) evening. Compared with location (A) where the level ranged between 65 and 87 (dB), while in location (B) from 35 to 65 (dB). The study recommended the significance of using GIS techniques, especially that applied spatial statistics for more studies with multi disciplines to diagnose overall noise pollution's health and psychological effects in Khartoum city.