Road Traffic, Source of Urban Noise

Noise pollution can disrupt human communication, activity and rest, causing various psychological, physiological and even pathological reactions in certain situations, when exposure is prolonged and noise level exceeds allowed limits. Sources of urban noise are varied and randomly distributed in space and time. Industry generates occupational exposure of workers, the latter being permanently exposed to noise coming from machinery and industrial operations, also generating exposure to noise pollution in the vicinity of industrial areas. Noise caused by road traffic comes from vehicle engines and from the contact between roadway and tires, also the intensity of road traffic and the type of vehicles, whether they are light or heavy vehicles, also play an important role. Even if it is not permanent, noise coming from fire, rescue and police intervention vehicles adds to the other sources and amplifies noise pollution especially on heavily trafficked arteries. Although the human body has a high tolerance for noise, it still experiences various effects of physiological or psychological nature that affect its health and activities. The current paper analyses the level of noise generated by road traffic, over a monitoring period of 4 months, for the main intersections in the Eastern area of Jiu Valley. Prevention of exposure to noise must be based on both determination of noise level and its evolution over time, in order to determine the best measures to reduce discomfort caused by road traffic. In this sense, the paper aims to analyze the level of noise pollution created by road traffic and the discomfort created by to residents in the vicinity of traffic arteries.