Investigating Urban Traffic Noise Pollution carried out at Higher Learning Institutions in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Noise pollution adversely affects human health. Higher institutions of learning situated in urban areas can be affected by noise pollution. In this study, noise pollution levels were measured in three institutions of higher learning in Windhoek [International University of Management-(IUM), Triumphant College-(TC) and International Training College LINGUA-(ITC)]. The mean noise pollution values were higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)s’ recommended limit of 45 dB (A) for silence zones. The mean noise level equivalent (L) variation and the mean percentile eq noise indices of the three institutions were all above the recommended standards for educational institutions. The mean value of noise climate (NC) was found to be 18.4, 17.9 and 16.3 (IUM, TC and ITC-Lingua) and the traffic noise index (TNI) for all the locations were higher than the WHO's traffic noise recommended limit of 45 (dB). The results of the research indicate that the higher institutions of learning studied are noisy particularly because of vehicle noise. In order to reduce noise pollution within the campuses some useful suggestions were presented.