ANALYTICAL STUDY FOR THE IMPACT OF NOISE LEVELS INSIDE GREATER CAIRO UNDER GROUND METRO STATIONS

Transport networks, including subway networks and other transportation systems, represent a significant source of noise in urban areas. Noise exposure causes acute health problems affecting millions of people especially in urban areas. This paper discusses the noise levels in the underground stations of the Greater Cairo Metro Network - Lines 1 and 2. A comparison has been made between the value of the noise levels measured in the platforms of the underground stations as well as those measured inside the trains and the international allowable exposure values for employees and passengers where it has been proven that the noise level inside the metro network is extremely high. Hence; in order to get recommendations to reduce noise levels either for existing or future stations, a study has been made for the impact of engineering factors of the stations on the noise level. This study includes analyzing the impacts of the distance from the edge of platform as a result of its width, the shape of the tunnel cross section, the porosity of walls and the impact of the change in the distance from the walls along the whole length of the platform on noise levels.