Urban noise is a permanent problem in the modern world, which is why there is an increasingly pressing need for quiet and calm areas for urban populations. Reference  emphasizes that “Special attention should be given to quiet areas and their relationship to human health and environmental health.” Reference  points out that “The acoustic quality of a city depends not only on the absence of noise but also on the presence of quietness and liveliness.” Similarly, in  discuss “The importance of public spaces in lowering urban traffic noise. Acoustic simulations indicated that traffic-related noise is dissipated in open spaces, such as public squares.” Moreover, according to  , public parks are places of quietness and well-being for urban populations. Reference  also emphasize that the question is not whether a city is noisy or not, but rather whether its residents have access to quiet spaces, i.e., a quiet house and neighborhood, as well as quiet urban spaces. An example of such spaces is public parks, as indicated  .
In Germany,  state that: “1) The main source of noise in Germany comes from traffic noise; 2) 70% of Germans feel annoyed by noise; 3) Nighttime noise as low as 40 dB(A) can lead to health problems; 4) 10% of homes are exposed to equivalent sound pressure levels, Leq, higher than 66 - 70 dB(A)”.
Still in Germany,  state that: “Traffic noise studies show that there is a connection between the risk of heart attack and exposure to noise. The number of heart attacks among adult men was found to increase, starting from a daily equivalent sound pressure level of > 60 dB(A) generated by traffic noise. Germany’s Federal Environment Agency estimates that 4000 annual cases of heart attacks in the country are correlated with traffic noise”. Reference  , also report on research in Sweden, where “Long-term studies from Sweden suggest, that permanent street noise exposure above 50 dB(A), increases the risk of having a heart attack by up to 40%”.
Then, a noise impact study was conducted to determine the environmental impact of noise pollution along two main thoroughfares in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, based on noise measurements and the calculation of noise maps. The first one was Marshal Deodoro Avenue, which is about 3.2 km long. This is one of the city’s most well-known roads, along which hundreds of people circulate every day. The second street is a major avenue that begins in the Batel district under the name of Bishop Dom José Street and ends in the center of town under the name of Dr. Pedrosa Street. This avenue, which is about 2.7 km long, is commonly known as Batel Avenue.
2.1. Analysis of Environmental Noise Emission Limits
For the noise impact study, in situ measurements of the equivalent sound pressure levels, Leq, were taken and noise maps were also calculated. The Brazilian technical standard NBR 10151 establishes acceptable noise levels for urban areas  .
Curitiba also has its own law against noise pollution, i.e., Law 10,625/02, which establishes permissible noise levels in various areas of the city. The law establishes permissible noise levels for three time periods: 1) Daytime—From 7:01 am to 7:00 pm, 2) Evening—From 7:01 to 10:00 pm, and 3) Nighttime— From 10:01 pm to 07:00 am. Therefore, Law 10,625/02 establishes the maximum permissible noise levels according to land use zoning and time of day, as listed in Table 1  .
Curitiba Municipal Law No. 9800 is another important law, which establishes regulations on zoning, land use and occupation in the municipality of Curitiba, sub-dividing it into various types of zones, such as: Central Zone (CZ), Special Educational Zone (SEZ), Industrial Zone (IZ), Residential Zones—RZ (RZ1, RZ2, RZ3), Batel Residential Zone (BRZ), Green Areas (GA), Mixed Use Zone (RZ4), and others  .
2.2. Noise Measuring Points
Marshal Deodoro Avenue is about 3000 meters long. Noise was monitored and measured along this avenue at 16 noise measuring points set approximately 200 meters apart. Zoning in this region is mixed-use, as there are numerous residential buildings as well as a large number of commercial establishments. In the area further away from the center there is a predominance of special purpose buildings such as regular and luxury apartment houses, although there are also many commercial properties.
Batel Avenue is about 2700 meters long. Noise was monitored and measured along this avenue, at 11 noise measuring points set approximately 200 meters apart. The measuring points were distributed starting on Bispo Dom José Street and ending on Dr. Pedrosa Street. Batel Avenue is considered a mixed-use zone since it contains not only residential apartment buildings but also commercial establishments.
The entire length of Marechal Deodoro Avenue passes through the neighborhoods of Alto da Rua XV and Centro. According to Law No. 9800  , this thoroughfare passes through three different types of zones, RZ3 (Residential Zone 3); RZ4 (Residential Zone 4) and CZ (Central Zone) (see Table 1). In the aforementioned zones, monitoring points 1 to 10 are located in residential areas where, according to Law No. 10,625  , the maximum permissible daytime noise levels that reach the building façades should not exceed 55 dB(A) in RZ3
Table 1. Noise emission limits established by Curitiba Municipal Law 10625 (2002).
a. Equivalent sound pressure level, Leq in dB(A).
and 65 dB(A) in RZ4. Monitoring points 11 to 16, on the other hand, are situated in the region comprising the central zone (CZ), where the maximum permissible daytime noise level is 65 dB(A).
2.3. Measurement and Analysis of Environmental Noise
Street level noise was measured at each measuring point, perpendicularly to the axis of the street, at a distance of approximately 1.2 meters from the ground and at 2 meters distance from other reflecting surfaces such as house walls, boundary walls, etc. Vehicle counts were also made concomitantly to these noise measurements. Each measurement lasted 10 minutes, as per the standards presented in the international literature     . The data collected were: 1) Counts of light vehicles, heavy vehicles and motorcycles; 2) Equivalent sound level Leq in dB(A). The measurements were taken in the daytime on weekdays, using the following devices: 1) a B&K 2250 sound level meter, 2) a B&K 4231 sound level calibrator, and 3) Predictor version 8.11 noise mapping software. The noise levels measured in the areas under study were compared to the noise limits established by Curitiba Municipal Law No. 10,625/02.
2.4. Noise Maps
Noise maps offer a broad view of the problem generated by noise pollution. They also enable scenarios to be simulated in the search for alternatives to reduce environmental noise. The use of Predictor software involved the following steps: 1) Choice of the method of calculation trough ISO 9613.1/2 Road, 2) Insertion of contour lines on the maps, 3) Insertion of orthophotos to draw buildings and vegetation by hand, 4) Insertion of the vehicle flow and the speed of each type of vehicle, and 5) Choice of the area of calculation and the grid size. Predictor® software requires a grid noise map to calculate maps. The lower the grid resolution is, the greater the accuracy and the longer the calculation time. The grid should not exceed 10 m × 10 m to calculate maps of urban agglomerations  . For this reason, a 5 m × 5 m grid was adopted   . The grid height used here was 4 m, as recommended in the current bibliography   .
To calibrate the model, we used as reference the recommendations of the current literature, which states that the differences between measured and simulated data are accepted when they fall within the range of up to ± 4.6 dB(A)      . Reference  state that a difference of up to 5 dB(A) between measured and simulated data is acceptable.
Also, in  places as a condition to calibrate the model of noise maps, that the difference between the measured and calculated values should be in the range of ±3 dB(A).
3.1. Model Calibration Results
To calibrate the model, we used as reference the recommendations of the current literature, which states that the differences between measured and simulated data are accepted when they fall within the range of up to ±4.6 dB(A). Then, Figure 1 shows the differences between measured and simulated data.
A comparison of the measured and calculated values indicates that all the measuring points lie within the expected range. Figure 2 shows the calibration curves for the noise map model and shows its respective models’ equations with linear correlation R2 of 0.819 and 0.878 to Batel Avenue and Marshal Deodoro Avenue, respectively.
The traffic composition in the areas under study consisted predominantly of light vehicles, 88% traveling along Marshal Deodoro Avenue, and 85% along Batel Avenue. Motorcycles represented 9% of the traffic composition on Batel Avenue and 11% on Marshal Deodoro Avenue, respectively. On the other hand, the flow of heavy vehicles consisted mainly of public transport buses, with rare exceptions when a few trucks were observed. As for total vehicle flow, trucks corresponded to 3% on Batel Avenue and 4% on Marshal Deodoro Avenue.
Then, Figure 3 describes the traffic composition on the two avenues during one hour of measurement at each evaluation point. Most of the vehicle flow comprises light vehicles. However, heavy vehicles must also be taken into account because of the high noise levels they generate. Another evaluated parameter was the average speed of vehicles on the streets. The average estimated speed was 60 km/h for light vehicles and motorcycles and 50 km/h for heavy vehicles.
The average speed observed at most of the monitoring points was about 60 km/h, which was considered normal, since that is the legal speed limit established for these thoroughfares. The asphalt paving in the evaluated sections of these roads was in good condition. It should be noted that there are speed bumps and radars on both of these avenues. Based on computational simulations and in situ measurements, this study found that the traffic noise in the areas under study is constant and intense. The areas under study are strongly affected by traffic noise.
Figure 1. Sound pressure levels difference for measured and simulated values for Batel Avenue and Marechal Deodoro Avenue.
Figure 2. Calibration model for Batel Avenue and Marechal Deodoro Avenue.
Figure 3. Traffic composition in terms of heavy, motorcycles and light vehicles.
3.2. Noise Maps Results
For Batel Avenue, the first noise map, in Figure 4(a), shows the equivalent sound pressure levels, Leq, along the entire road. For Marechal Deodoro Avenue, Figure 4(b), shows the equivalent sound pressure levels, Leq, along the entire road.
These maps present a color scale that indicates the noise levels along the roads and renders these noise levels. Figure 5 shows the noise map on a stretch of Batel Avenue. Figure 6 shows the noise map on a stretch of Marshal Deodoro Avenue.
Subsequently, noise maps are important aids to support measures to control and reduce noise pollution, since they provide a better overall view of noise levels at evaluated sites.
A comparison of the legal noise limits and the simulated and the measured sound pressure levels, at each point (see Figure 7) indicates the existence of
Figure 4. Noise map along the entire stretch of Batel Avenue and Marshal Deodoro Avenue.
Figure 5. Noise map on a stretch of Batel Avenue.
noise pollution in the areas around the evaluated points, since, according to the measurements and simulations, the noise levels at all the points exceed the legal limits.
Figure 6. Noise map on a stretch of Marshal Deodoro Avenue.
Figure 7. Noise limits according to the zoning law for Batel Avenue and Marechal Deodoro Avenue.
By analyzing each point measured in Figure 7(a) and Figure 7(b), it can be seen that the equivalent sound pressure levels are above those recommended by the Curitiba Municipal Law No. 10,625 (2002). All measured values are well above the established limits for the Urban Areas covered by the two avenues (see Table 1). The recommended values for the Urban Zones studied here are Leq = 55 dB(A) and Leq = 65 dB(A).
Batel Avenue passes through three different neighborhoods. Most of its length is located in the Batel neighborhood, but a small stretch of this street is located in the Centro and Seminário neighborhoods. This avenue passes through four different types of zones; namely, RZ1, RZB, RZ4 and CZ (see Table 1).
The maps in Figures 8 and Figure 9 indicate the noise levels that reach the façades of buildings located in so-called “Quiet Zones”, which encompass, for example, hospitals and schools. In these “Quiet Zones”, the noise limits for RZ1 (see Table 1) must be met within a radius of 200 meters around these establishments.
In Figure 8, note that noise levels at the façades of the school range predominantly from 65 to 70 dB(A) and from 70 to 75 dB(A). These levels far exceed the daytime noise level of 55 dB(A) permitted by the municipal law.
The noise around hospitals in the city of Curitiba and other urban areas was also studied by   . In both studies, sound levels outside hospitals were measured above those recommended by Law 10.625  . This shows that, in practice, there is no control of these levels by the public agents and as a consequence, there may be several problems for both patients and members of the medical staff of these hospitals ranging from “delay in the recovery of patients as to the stress of the medical team”  .
Figure 9 shows that the noise levels reaching the front facades of the hospital vary mostly from 65 to 70 dB(A), while those reaching the sides vary from 60 to 65 dB(A).
According to data from the 2010 Demographic Census of the Institute of Research and Planning of Curitiba  , Batel’s neighborhood, where Batel Avenue passes, has a population of 10,878 inhabitants, of which 70.8% are between 15 and 64 years, and 16.7% over 64 years. The Central Zone, through which Batel Avenue is also located, is one of the 10 neighborhoods in the city, with the highest percentage of elderly people. According to the WHO, this group of people is classified as a vulnerable group and special attention to their health regarding noise must be considered  .
The results of this study indicate that both thoroughfares—Marshal Deodoro Avenue and Batel Avenue, which are of immense importance for urban mobility
Figure 8. Noise levels that reach the facade of the Marista Paranaense School.
Figure 9. Noise levels that reach the facade of Santa Cruz Hospital.
Figure 10. Batel Avenue plate indication
in the city, are strongly affected by street noise. These results from this study are in line with results found in Germany and Sweden  , which were cited in the introduction.
One way to combating noise pollution is by applying pecuniary punishments, as can be seen on the plaque highlighted in Figure 10.
Figure 10 shows a plaque positioned on Batel Avenue, where it can be read: “Proibido Som Alto” [High Sound Prohibited]. It can also be seen on the plaque, the indicative penalties provided for in Municipal Law 10.625 (2002)—“ruídos urbanos” [urban noises]  . The penalties are in a range of medium to severe. Severe punishment can lead to vehicle takeover by the public agent.
This study found that the sound pressure levels today exceed the values recommended by Curitiba Municipal Law No. 10625. Therefore, the thoroughfares under study and their surrounding regions are in noncompliance with this law and are characterized by noise pollution. This study found that the street noise in these two majors and very important thoroughfares are constant and intense during the day period.
The fight against noise pollution involves urban planning and management. To improve people’s quality of life, municipal authorities should maintain ongoing control of noise levels in the city and continuously calculate the city’s noise maps, especially for “Quiet Zones”. Lastly, using all the data acquired, the creation of a database is planned, so that data can be consulted to determine whether the levels of noise pollution have increased or decreased whenever mitigative measures are adopted.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the German Government, through the German Academic Exchange Service—DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) and the Brazilian Government, through the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq, for their financial support, which enabled the purchase of the sound level meters and software used in this study.
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