Noise pollution and its spatial distribution in urban environments (case study: Yazd, Iran)

This study focuses on identifying source and frequency of noise pollution in Yazd, Iran. For data collection, we used two approaches: First we selected 55 monitoring stations for 122 km grid network; the distance between two stations was 2 km. Then, at the same time, we measured the sound pressure level (SPL) at main roads; the distance between two monitoring stations in this case was 1 km. After collecting data required, noise map of each collection and composite map were provided using ArcGIS software in geographic information systems environment. It was founded that the maximum noise pollution was created by vehicles in Yazd. The map based on 2 km network showed that 99% of residential areas were exposed to noise pollution. Composite map showed that 56% of Yazd lands were exposed to noise pollution. In addition, other activity zones such as university, administrative and commercial were in critical pollution conditions. Moreover, due to the surrounding sources such as airport and industries, the SPL in the western and eastern parts of the city was too much, so that it is a limiting factor resulted in the city development most properly toward those parts. We propose a project to define the impact of industrial noise pollution on residential land in the eastern and western parts of the city. Nevertheless, due to the high pollution levels in the city center and because of existence of uses such as bazaar in historic area of the town, residential areas, some small shops and major hospitals of the city, the pollution and exposure must be reduced.