CSIR Study Maps Delhi Noise Levels Using Real-Time Traffic and Honking Data
A study conducted under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has developed a new model combining geographical factors and real-time traffic data to predict and map environmental noise across New Delhi and the wider capital region.
The research, titled "Integrated land use regression model with road traffic characteristics for environmental noise prediction and mapping in urban regions with heterogeneous traffic conditions," seeks to overcome the limits of conventional noise-monitoring stations by incorporating variables such as vehicle counts, speeds, and honking events.
Researchers monitored noise observations across 201 locations in Delhi over a nine-month period from October 2023 to June 2024 to account for seasonal variations. In addition to sound levels, the study examined hourly traffic data, road networks, land-use patterns, population density, built-up areas, metro infrastructure, railway stations, bus stops, and traffic crossings.
The findings identified hourly traffic counts as the most influential predictor of environmental noise across all four models developed in the study. Honking frequency was also identified as a major driver of noise, particularly for daytime, 24-hour, and day-night noise measurements.
The researchers used these models to generate high-resolution noise maps for the New Delhi region to assess daytime noise, nighttime noise, 24-hour equivalent noise, and day-night average noise levels. The spatial variation of noise was strongly tied to residential and major roads, as well as commercial areas. At night, proximity to roads and railway stations emerged as key factors influencing sound levels.
The study also noted specific infrastructure effects, observing that elevated metro corridors influence sound over wider distances, while roads with frequent bus stops showed a negative association with noise levels due to reduced vehicle speeds.
"If traffic volume is the dominant factor in an area, traffic-management measures may be relevant. Where honking contributes significantly, enforcement and behavioural interventions could be considered. Where infrastructure such as highways or elevated metro corridors influences noise over larger areas, acoustic considerations could be incorporated into planning and design," said Saurabh Kumar, one of the researchers on the project.
The researchers noted that the mapping model can help civic authorities evaluate urban infrastructure projects before construction and plan targeted noise-mitigation strategies across the capital.
