LAB

: 4
LAB
: Traffic Noise Study
NO.
TITLE
LEVEL OF OPENNESS
: Level
CLASS
: EC110 5F
GROUP LEADER:
STUDENT NO:
GROUP MEMBERS
NO. NAME
STUDENT
NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Muhammad Akmal Bin Yahya

Mohammad QaidHaziq Bin Izhar
Nik Muhamad Harith Bin Nik Rusli
Atiqah Zahirah Binti Mohamad Amran
Nurin Adlina Binti Mohd Roslan

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

: 21st
2016

SIGNATUR
E

STUDENT
1
2
3

INDIVIDUAL IN-LAB ACTIVITIES

PUNCTUALITIY
DISCIPLINE (DRESS CODE,SAFETY SHOES,SAFETY
REGULATIONS)
KNOWLEDGE ON OPEN ENDED LABORATORY
GROUP IN-LAB ACTIVITIES
LEADERSHIP SKILL
COMMUNICATION
ORGANISATION/TEAMWORK
LAB REPORT
INTRODUCTION
BASIC CONCEPTS
SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES/ METHODS
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
DISCUSSION OF RESULT
CONCLUSION

LECTURERS
SIGNATURE:

July

REMARK

2014894858
2014468582
2014421554
2014249374
2014686014

ASSESSMENT OF THE LAB ACTIVITIES

NO. ELEMENT TO ASSESS

1
2

DAT
E

REMARKS:

UiTM Pahang
Faculty of Civil
Engineering

ECG 354 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

THE REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED 1 WEEK AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE LAB.

Introduction
The noise from the traffic considered as a pollution if exceed the allowable limit. The high
traffic noise level will disturb the surrounding area Thus; the traffic noise level should be
controlled and measured in order to ensure that the environment is free from the noise
pollution.

Objectives
1. To measures the pattern of existing noise levels
2. To perform the statistical analysis on noise samples collected and interpret the
results obtained.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
1. Identify the right tools to carry out the appropriate traffic noise study.
2. Analyse test data and present the solution in proper technical format.
3. Work in a group to undertake the task and produce the relevant technical report.

Theoretical background
Noise has been long considered as one type of pollution. This problem affected most
residential housing particularly in urban area. Mostly noise pollution is come from highway
with heavy traffic. Volume of traffic, speed and perhaps also type of vehicles contribute
mostly to the noise pollution. Excessive noise from traffic can cause annoyance to daily
activities, disturb rest (especially sleep) and disrupt communication. Thus, decrease the
overall quality of life.
However, people perceptions and awareness toward limitation of noise pollution may be
varying. Type of residential housing, exposure, community and areas may be affected
people opinions on noise pollution.

The study of noise may be done to measure level of noise pollution and its impact towards a
particular area. From that study, action may be taken to provide adequate noise control
measures such as construction of a noise barrier.

WHO Recommended Health Criteria of noise limit for daytime is 55 dB and for night time is
45 dB. While in Malaysia, the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) recommended a
Guideline for Limiting Sound Level (LAeq) from Road Traffic (For Proposed New Roads
and/or Redevelopment of Existing Roads) from The Planning Guidelines for Environmental
Noise Limits and Control (2004). Table 1 below listed those guidelines.

Table 1:Guideline for Limiting sound Level from Road Traffic

Apparatus
1. Traffic noise tester

Procedure
1. Select and sketch the layout of the study area (proper and strategic location), located
at the Block I & J in UITM
2. Record the sound level of moving vehicle using the sound level meter.
3. Observe and record the data at 15 seconds interval in the data sheet for duration of
45 minutes.

Data Analysis
Table 1: Data collected
Int
15
30
45
60
75
90
105
120
135
150
165
180
195
210
225
240
255
270
285
300
315
330
345
360
375
390
405
420
435
450
465
480
495
510
525
540

db
69.20
54.70
58.40
53.90
65.40
67.50
60.90
64.20
55.30
50.90
64.20
47.30
56.20
54.00
55.00
67.30
65.30
52.50
69.60
55.60
69.10
54.00
52.90
67.30
51.70
49.00
50.60
47.90
52.20
61.00
61.10
64.40
60.90
64.40
51.30
64.30

Int
555
570
585
600
615
630
645
660
675
690
705
720
735
750
765
780
795
810
825
840
855
870
885
900
915
930
945
960
975
990
1005
1020
1035
1050
1065
1080

db
56.50
55.30
49.50
49.50
57.50
65.90
61.90
61.70
74.20
56.60
71.30
61.50
55.20
60.50
57.40
52.60
49.40
52.20
58.40
53.10
54.50
60.90
63.10
55.70
62.50
54.40
63.90
62.40
65.60
66.60
57.40
62.40
79.20
71.10
64.40
53.10

Int
1095
1110
1125
1140
1155
1170
1185
1200
1215
1230
1245
1260
1275
1290
1305
1320
1335
1350
1365
1380
1395
1410
1425
1440
1455
1470
1485
1500
1515
1530
1545
1560
1575
1590
1605
1620

db
59.20
51.20
60.90
55.80
51.20
62.30
51.80
54.10
54.60
49.60
65.00
55.50
61.80
64.60
75.50
61.40
56.50
56.60
59.30
57.80
57.60
73.90
52.80
55.40
49.30
68.60
89.90
52.90
59.90
54.70
64.10
60.60
64.90
67.80
59.10
60.20

Int
1635
1650
1665
1680
1695
1710
1725
1740
1755
1770
1785
1800
1815
1830
1845
1860
1875
1890
1905
1920
1935
1950
1965
1980
1995
2010
2025
2040
2055
2070
2085
2100
2115
2130
2145
2160

db
54.90
58.70
65.30
66.70
49.80
47.70
58.80
64.20
59.50
58.90
48.60
59.00
50.40
45.00
55.00
52.60
68.60
50.80
47.20
52.10
55.10
54.20
57.40
68.70
59.10
51.10
47.10
45.90
49.70
61.10
52.70
56.20
72.20
50.50
48.90
62.30

Int
2175
2190
2205
2220
2235
2250
2265
2280
2295
2310
2325
2340
2355
2370
2385
2400
2415
2430
2445
2460
2475
2490
2505
2520
2535
2550
2565
2580
2595
2610
2625
2640
2655
2670
2685
2700

db
54.20
54.50
64.50
46.50
49.50
52.60
47.50
52.70
49.10
48.30
55.70
49.20
54.40
54.70
46.70
66.60
57.80
63.00
56.50
53.30
52.90
68.90
46.90
54.00
52.50
48.70
52.10
53.80
51.30
47.30
64.50
46.40
50.90
49.00
58.80
59.80

Table 2: Data

Noise
Group
(dB)
40
44.9
45
49.9
50
54.9
55
59.9
60
64.9
65
69.9
70
74.9
75
79.9
80
84.9
85
89.9

Frequen
cy, f

Percenta
ge of
frequenc
y (%)

Cumulati
ve
frequenc
y

Percenta
ge of
cumulati
ve
frequenc
y (%)

42.45

226.80

47.45

27

15

27

15

1281.1
5

101.20

2732.5

52.45

50

27.8

77

42.8

2622.5

25.60

1280.1
8

57.45

39

21.7

116

64.4

0.00

0.1404

62.45

35

19.4

151

83.9

67.45

21

11.7

172

95.6

72.45

2.8

177

77.45

1.1

82.45

87.45

Mid
group
noise, v
(dB)

TOTAL

(v-u)2

fv

2240.5
5
2185.7
5
1416.4
5

24.40

98.3

362.25

223.20

179

99.4

154.9

397.60

179

99.4

622.00

0.6

180

100

87.45

896.40

180

100

100

10351

2616.0
4

180

Sample Calculations :

1. Arithmetic mean noise level,

u=

fv
N

10351
= 180
= 57.51 db

2. Standard deviation , =

f (vu)2
n1

98.80

f(v-u)2

854.12
6
2074.8
8
1116.0
2
795.20
7
0
896.40
4
9749.4
5

9749.45
179

7.38 db

Frequency Histogram

Frequency Histogram
30
25
20
15
Percentage of Frequency, %

10
5
0

Noise, dB

Frequency Distribution Curve

Frequency Distribution Curve

30
25
20
Percentage of Frequency, %

Y-Values

15
10
5
0.6
0
40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Noise, dB

Cumulative Frequency Curve

Cumulative Frequency Curve

Percentage of Cumulative Curve, %

40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Noise, dB

P15, 15 percentile noise = 46 dB

P50, 50 percentile noise = 54 dB
P85, 85 percentile noise = 65dB
P95, 95 percentile noise = 69 dB

Discussion
Early in the planning stages of most highway projects, highway agencies do a traffic noise
study. The purpose of the study is to determine if the proposed highway will create any traffic
noise problems.
We have conducted the traffic noise study in UiTM which is in front of blok I and J . The
choices for our location will affect our data analysis for the loudness. There were no many
vehicles passing through the roadway. Thus, the values for the loudness are not very high
and it is between the range of 40db-90db. We have used traffic noise tester or known as
sound level meter in order to determine the loudness of traffic at the location. The traffic
noise tester can be used directly; power on, set the sound source and read the result.
Based on the data tabulated a few vehicles have been observed during the traffic noise for
45 min duration. According to data obtained, the arithmetic mean, u are 57.51 db. While the
median noise, v for these data are 54 db. So that the median class is 50-54.9 db. The
standard deviation calculated based on data is 7.38 db.
Generally, the loudness of traffic noise is increased by heavier traffic volume, higher speeds
and greater numbers of trucks. Vehicle noise is a combination of the noise produces by the
engine, exhaust, and tires. The loudness of traffic noise can also be increased by defective
mufflers or other faulty equipment on vehicles. Any condition (such as steep incline) that
causes heavy labouring of motor vehicle engines will also increase traffic noise levels. In
addition, there are other more complicated factors that affect the loudness of traffic noise.

Error during experiment

1

While taking a reading, the noise of car collide with other car. So, the reading unclear.

Take a reading during other activities was happen like construction activity.

Error on instrument like the sound level meter damage.

Human error - during the process of reading data.

The data may also be affected when the members in our group were talking to each
other.

All of the above errors are caused by the sensitiveness of the traffic noise tester. As what we
observed, the traffic noise tester is so sensitive in which it can detects sound even though
the sound is in very lower range.

3
CONCLUSION

As the conclusion, we have achieved the objectives for this traffic noise study which
is to measure the pattern of existing noise levels. The values of the loudness are not very
high because there were no many vehicles pass through the roadway. The traffic noise level
is higher because the speed of the vehicle that passes through the roadway is high. The
speed of the vehicle is higher because there are no other vehicles on the roadway and the
condition of the roadway is free flow. Based on the result, the high level of traffic noise is
because there are some lorries pass through the roadway. We can conclude that the pattern
of existing noise level in the location is variable which means that the traffic noise came from
a variety of sources and different level of loudness.

REFERENCE
1. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise_measurement.html
2. https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/measuring-instruments/test-meters/soundlevel-meter-noise-level-meter-kat_40095_1.htm
3. http://www.noiselevelmeter.com/applications/traffic-noise-measurement/