Traffic noise: mapping of the Tambaú neighborhood, João Pessoa/PB

mapeamento do bairro Tambaú, João Pessoa/PB

Abstract

The city of João Pessoa, as well as other expanding capitals, has seen an increase in the vehicle fleet without urban policies to control noise pollution. Acoustic maps or noise maps can be used to represent vehicle traffic noise in urban spaces, making it possible to diagnose this problem and consequently make decisions for municipal management to update urban legislation, particularly regarding environmental pollution, and develop strategies to mitigate urban noise. In this sense, this research aims to map the traffic noise in the Tambaú neighborhood, an important tourist area of João Pessoa, the capital of the state of Paraíba. Information on morphological, acoustic, and traffic parameters was collected to develop noise maps for morning and afternoon shifts using the SoundPLAN software. All measurement points in the study were noncompliant with NBR 10151 and the World Health Organization (WHO), with 62.5% exceeding more than 10 dB of the reference value established for the daytime period, demonstrating that part of the population in the region is potentially exposed to acoustic discomfort due to traffic noise.