1. Introduction
Noise is usually defined as unwanted or undesired sound judged to be
unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. Environmental noise is the
accumulation of all noise present in a specified environment.
Environmental Noise can also be defined as an unwanted or harmful
outdoor sound created by human activity, such as noise emitted by means
of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic and industrial
activity (Environmental Noise pollution, 2014). A study on environmental
noise pollution in Nigeria urban centers found that increase in
population, commercial activities and road traffic volume, increase the
level of noise generation. Other concomitant noises have been noted to
be severe in rapidly expanding cities, towns and regions in Nigeria as
observed in the South Eastern States (Onuu, 1992). Many studies on noise
pollution have been conducted (Chibuike et al. 2018; Pretzsch et al.
2015; Wang et al. 2014; Baloye and Palamuleni, 2015).
Oyedepo et al. (2018) produced dataset to assess the noise pollution
levels in Ota Metropolis and discovered that only 2 out of the 41
locations considered are under normally acceptable situation while the
noise levels of other areas are not acceptable.
Noise exposure is not a new phenomenon. Records show that even in
medieval times, carriages and horseback riding were banned during the
night in some cities in Europe, in order to prevent sleep disturbance
(World Health Organization, 2000). Noise Pollution also known as sound
pollution, is the propagation of noise with harmful impact on the
activity of human or animal life. The source of outdoor noise worldwide
is mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems
(Wikipedia, 2016). Noise pollution can damage physiological health
problems to people who are continuously subjected to it. In 1999, the
World Health Organization (WHO) issued suggested community noise
guidelines. It considered various environments noise levels, and noise
impacts. In outdoor living areas (backyards, for example), a noise level
of 50-55 dB(A) averaged over the daytime is considered moderately to
seriously annoying; levels above 45d dB(A) averaged over nighttime hours
can disturb sleep; and indoor noise levels above 35 dB(A) impact
communication in a school.
Braj and Jain (1995) and Schwartz (2011), describe noise as air
pollutant, which differs from other pollutants in the sense that it is
transient in nature, and it is not a continuing or persisting
phenomenon. Once the noise pollution stops, the environment becomes free
of its effects. Garg (2010) expands this concept when he noted that
noise is any unwanted sound that is not necessarily random. He noted
that noise, particularly loud ones disturb people or make it difficult
for people to hear, and that conversations of other people may also be
described as noise by people not involved. He added that any unwanted
sound, such as barking of domesticated dogs, neighbors playing loud
music, port mechanical saws, road traffic sounds which have now become a
part of the urban culture, qualify as noise pollution.
The problem with noise is not only that it is unwanted, but also that it
negatively affects human life and well-being. High noise levels can
contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans and an increased
incidence of coronary artery disease. While the elderly may have cardiac
problems due to noise, according to World Health Organization, children
are especially vulnerable to noise and the effects that noise has on
children may be permanent. Noise poses a serious threat to a child’s
physical and physiological health and may negatively interfere with a
child’s learning and behavior (Wikipedia, 2006). Noise is a growing
health threat, and if left unchecked, could result to hazardous
conditions (Adejobi, 2012).
In considering the adverse effects of noise and the need for control, it
is suggested by (Kaushik and Kaushik, 2008) that noise can be controlled
by reduction in sources; use of sound absorbing silencers; planting of
more trees with broad leaves; and legislation. Noise pollution from
commercial areas and other urban factors can be mitigated by applying an
important factor which is a computer model like ArcGIS (Karthik et.al.,
2015). ArcGIS provides good visualization tools of noise propagation and
assist in building a spatial decision support system that can be used
for decision making