Effect of Road Traffic Noise on Acoustic Comfort of Residential Buildings: In The Case Of Adama City

Abstract

WHO recommends building healthy homes (homes that allow occupants to be in excellent physical, mental, and social condition), and mandates that noise in "healthy homes" is less than one decibel (dB). Over 55 dB of road traffic noise is exposed to around 40% of the world's population. The research was conducted in the city of Adama analysis Effect of road traffic noise on acoustic comfort of residential buildings. Adama is one of the Ethiopian cities established along the road that connects Addis Ababa to the port of Djibouti. People construct their homes near roads because of employment, they open shops in their houses for trade and business. This trend and the governmental officials planed residensial site along road expose to road traffic noise. The objective of the study analyzes the effects of road traffic noise on the acoustic comfort of residential buildings that are adjacent to a heavy traffic area. The research was conducted deeply relationship between subjective occupant survey and objective physical measurement as assessment methods of indoor environmental qualitys in buildings needs to be established to ascertain the degree of variation or equality in their measured variables. The objective analysis also measures the level of sound by measurement tools and compare the result with the standard limit of maximum threshold. The measurement is on selected site one (Adama Migira Bus Station, Karayu Street, Mamo Mazamir Street, Highway Street (To Ward Asela)) and Site Two (Peacock Bus Station, Abebe Bikila Street, Atlet Wami Biratu Street, Highway Street (To Ward Addis Abeba)) on thirty pieces of point on morning, afternoon and night time measure thirty minute. Subjective analysis the feeling of the 99 respondent on the current road traffic noise and internal acoustic comforts; informal interview, and site observation of material of building setback and other survey. The paper discussed finding from both methods that analyzed noise level and its physical and psychological effect on the residents. The respondents ensure that road traffic noise is the main source of external noise disturbance and affected the living condition and wellbeing of the residential dwellers, 71.72% of respondent agree with the disturbance of acoustic comfort of inhabitant. From this analysis the research recommend that the concerned body improve and create adoptive regulation to mitigate the effects.