Highway Traffic Noise Level in Developing Nations: A Case Study of University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

The study dealt with the determination of highway traffic noise levels in the main campus of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Noise measurements were obtained with the TECPEL Model 331 Data Logger portable sound level meter, set to compute sound level distributions on a second-by-second basis. The temperatures were measured by outside weather thermometer, while the local traffic counts were done manually. In all, ten (10) locations were considered for study while data were collected between 7.20-16.20 Hours daily and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007. The results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) road traffic noise pollution standard. The road noise levels at the zones ranges from 53.8 and 65.2 decibels [dB (A)]. These were predominantly attributable to motor vehicular traffic. The temperature varied from 24 degrees C to 32 degrees C, and the total traffic count in the selected locations was 74,829 for the period of the survey. The permissible level for road traffic noise is 50- 55 dB (A) by WHO standard. In all the surveyed locations in the campus, the noise level surpassed the permissible limit except at Barth Road/Technology Drive ‘T’ junction [53.8dB (A)] and U.I./Poly gate [53.9dB (A)] that fell in the range of WHO permissible limit. In addition, the mean noise level in the University of Ibadan campus was 59.2 dB (A); this is also above the prescribed standard. The study showed that the observed departure of the noise levels from the standard specified by WHO in the campus may cause health problems in the area under study. Also the established baseline noise levels at selected locations in the University can be re-assessed at regular intervals for appropriate monitoring. The findings may require an urgent need by the institution to put in place immediate regulatory measures to minimize and control the high road traffic noise.