Externalities Due to Ambient Noise Emissions Generated by Ambato Urban Transport

The use of mass transportation due to urbanization causes noise and air pollution that affect the quality of life of the population and generate environmental costs. To improve the land use planning of cities, it is convenient to determine the cost of the externality generated by noise. We began by measuring the Equivalent Sound Pressure Level (ESPL) generated by urban buses in the city of Ambato, using the UNE-ISO 1996–2:2020 standard for sampling and the UNE-EN 61,672–1:2014 standard for equipment. We then calculated the impact of noise using econometric models that estimate the Willingness to Pay (WTP), Costs for Medical Expenses (CME), and the Valuation of Fatalities (VOF) established by INFRAS/IWW. Over a 15-week noise study period from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., with an average ambient temperature of 17 °C, relative humidity of 59%, and atmospheric pressure of 1 atm, values of ESPL were recorded at 156 points distributed over an area of 1200 km2, ranging from 58.8 to 75.3 dB. 90.38% of the measurement points exceeded the limit established by the Unified Text of Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment's Secondary Legislation (UTEMESL) of 65 dB. The cost of the externality caused by noise was estimated at $8,730,431.94 per year, which is comparatively low when considering urban transportation as the sole source of pollution, as seen in similar studies conducted in Euskadi, Spain.