Noise-induced Annoyance due to Nocturnal Road Traffic: Results of a Field Study

Abstract

Since many traffic noise studies are based on laboratory surveys or exhibit shortcomings in noise measurement, there is a lack of valid exposure-response relationships between traffic noise and annoyance. To fill this gap for road traffic, precise measurements of noise parameters (e.g. energy equivalent sound pressure level [LAeq]) are needed. In this field study 40 healthy participants (mean age = 29.1; SD = 11.7; 26 females) rated their annoyance due to moderate road traffic noise exposure during the previous night on four consecutive mornings. Further questionnaires were used to measure psychological, sleep-related and subject-related variables. Measurements of acoustic parameters were undertaken inside the residents’ bedroom. A generalized estimating equation model (GEE) revealed a statistically significant rise in the annoyance with increasing LAeq of the traffic noise (p = .023). The extent of the subjectively perceived noise exposure had a reinforcing effect (p < .001), whereas a high subjective sleep quality had a reducing effect (p = .007) on annoyance. The present study emphasizes the importance of sleep in annoyance responses and delivers a prediction model for noise-induced nocturnal short-term annoyance in areas with moderate road traffic. Prospective investigations should be extended to residential areas with dense road traffic.