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Abstract
As noise pollution is becoming more and more serious, many researchers are studying the noise attenuation effect provided by plants. This article examines six kinds of evergreens as research subjects so as to compare the different arrangements and densities of plants and their effect on noise attenuation. The authors studied the relationship between each of the plant's characteristics (the characteristics include leaf area, leaf fresh weight, leaf tactility, and leaf shape) and their average relative noise attenuation (deltaLAep). The authors then generated the noise-reducing spectrum of the six plants. The results show that there is a notable difference in noise-reducing effects for low frequency and high frequency (p < .05) when the plants are arranged differently. Also, every plant demonstrates a specific noise-reducing spectrum. By quantifying noise attenuation characteristics and abilities of plants, the authors combine noise attenuation species to achieve the mutual benefits of plant varieties and establish an ecotypic sound barrier model with effective density and arrangement.
... It represents context-related UCES by means of adjectival pairs derived from a sample of studies for the following categories: well-being (Russell et al., 2013), perception of safety (Ceccato & Nalla, 2020), aesthetics Figure 2. Framework of online questionnaire Randomization, between-subjects design, semantic differential, and bias filter. (Haruna et al., 2018;Jankevica, 2013;Ode Sang et al., 2016), stress level buffering (Chan et al., 2021;Hedblom et al., 2019) psychological noise reduction (Fan et al., 2010;Yang et al., 2011) and identity (Stephenson, 2008). While the final category of identify is certainly difficult to address due to its complex and rather qualitative and individualized nature, this is an initial approach to move away from an entirely technical and standardized platform design experienced and identified as a non-place (Augé & Augé, 1994;Kanne, 2013) towards a place respecting the user's relation to nature (Artmann, 2023;Böhme et al., 2022). ...
... stimuli. Notably, however, it was possible to measure the effect of psychological noise reduction (Fan et al., 2010;Yang et al., 2011) without incorporating any auditive stimuli (p < 0.001). Taking into account the various subjective experimental and physiological factors impacting people's evaluation of the perception of noise level (Chan et al., 2021;Fan et al., 2010;Jiang et al., 2018), the significance of differences between groups in our results indicate that the unisensory approach can generally be considered a robust evaluation method for this effect. ...
... Notably, however, it was possible to measure the effect of psychological noise reduction (Fan et al., 2010;Yang et al., 2011) without incorporating any auditive stimuli (p < 0.001). Taking into account the various subjective experimental and physiological factors impacting people's evaluation of the perception of noise level (Chan et al., 2021;Fan et al., 2010;Jiang et al., 2018), the significance of differences between groups in our results indicate that the unisensory approach can generally be considered a robust evaluation method for this effect. ...
The increasing density of urban spaces and buildings is undermining public health. To compensate, there is a growing trend towards biophilic design, including at one of the most frequented and highly functional sites: railway stations. Previous studies have confirmed the economic feasibility of station greenery and users' preference for this but also their reluctance to pay for greenery compared to other services. One research gap is the lack of consideration given to the full range and dose-response correlation of urban cultural ecosystem services provided by station greenery. To fill this gap, we present the development and implementation of a method using static 2D representations of virtual reality scenes generated from a digital twin. In a between-subjects experiment (N = 352), participants were randomly assigned to assess one of three levels of greenery by means of a six-item semantic differential. Supported by statistically significant differences between groups, we could identify improvements in well-being, aesthetics, stress reduction, perception of safety, psychological noise reduction and identity. Further, women were found to prefer higher levels of greenery than men. Based on our results, we recommend applying the method to evaluate planning options and that (more) greenery be introduced at metropolitan stations as part of biophilic design.
... Generally, the A-weighted SPL is positively correlated with acoustic comfort (Yang and Kang, 2020), and vegetation can reduce it by reflecting, refracting, scattering, or absorbing sound, to promote acoustic comfort (Aylor, 1972;Fang and Ling, 2003). The effects of a vegetated sound barrier, on sound transmission, largely depended on the frequency of the sound (Yang et al., 2010), and the selection of plants constructed as barriers, with a noise reduction spectrum similar to the ambient noise spectrum. Thus, it can effectively suppress the transmission and effect of noise. ...
... Additionally, a reasonable plant configuration can increase the quality of the soundscape. Yang et al. (2010) demonstrated that cedar reduces low-frequency noise more effectively than arrow-wood, oleander, or bamboo. Particular arrangements of vegetation can substantially attenuate a certain SPL of noise. ...
Introduction
Previous soundscape studies focused on sound perception and acoustic comfort in sampled sites and ignored the characteristics of the experiential process along the paths. Therefore, the effects of soundwalk paths on soundscape assessment should be explored.
Methods
In this study, a typical urban park was selected as a case study. The differences, characteristics, and effects of soundwalk paths on the soundscapes were explored, based on a soundwalk survey and laboratory study.
Results
The results are as follows: first, in the soundwalk, different soundwalk paths in the urban park had significant effects on the perceived extent of individual sound and soundscape assessment. Second, the soundscape assessment was consistent with the peak-end rule. In the laboratory experiments, the peak assessment of soundscape appeared at the end location of the soundwalk paths, it was critical to the overall soundscape assessment. Furthermore, in the soundwalk, the overall perceived extent of individual sound was strongly affected by the perceived extent of dominant sounds at the end location of the soundwalk paths. Third, in the soundwalk, the sound loudness contrast path (noise-quiet/quiet-noise) and sound source contrast path (natural-artificial sound/artificial-natural sound) were compared. In the noise-quiet path, the assessment of acoustic comfort was higher than that in the quiet-noise path, and the assessment of subjective loudness was lower than that in the quiet-noise path ( p < 0.01). The subjective loudness of the artificial-natural sound path was lower than that in the natural-artificial sound path ( p < 0.05).
Discussion
Thus, the design of the soundwalk paths was expected to enhance visitors’ soundscape assessment of urban parks.
... Fan et al. [21] did many measurements behind six dense hedges involving six different evergreen species: arrowwood (Vibumum odoratissimum), oleander (Nerium indicum), Chinese Photinia (Photinia serrulata), bamboo (Oligostachyum lubricum), Red Robin Photinia (Photinia fraseri), and Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara). The authors found the best performances for the so-called "leaf shape" (the relation between leaf length to leaf width) between 2 and 3, for the greater leaf area and leaf weight: between 3 and 4 dB/m. ...
In this chapter, a case study is presented on the evaluation of acoustic performance of a tree barrier. It is a eucalyptus barrier that was planted as a visual barrier to block an industrial plant. First, the depletion law of sound pressure levels (SPL) of the source was analyzed; a linear divergence was found. A calculation scheme similar to that of ISO 9613-2 was applied. When comparing the SPL measured at a specific receiver with the results of propagating the SPL from the source without considering the existence of the barrier, an extra attenuation of 12 dB appeared, reinforcing the idea that the plantation behaves as an acoustic barrier. Four different calculations were used to obtain its insertion loss (IL), including general equations and expressions developed for green barriers. The best fit was obtained using equations for solid barriers, although it was not the expected result. This finding could be explained by the great distance between the source and the receiver. It opens the possibility of successfully using IL prediction equations for solid acoustic barriers (both thin and thick) to estimate the acoustic performance of green barriers, at least under conditions similar to those of this case study.
... Here, the use of plants is an effective option, as their uneven surface partially absorbs sound, which can significantly reduce noise pollution. However, not all plants are equally suitable for this task.Fan et al.[Fan+10] have investigated the relationship between tree characteristics -especially the properties of their leaves -and their ability to absorb sound.• Erosion Prevention. ...
... This may be because perceived pollution is related to individuals' sensitivity to pollution and acts as a mediator between measured pollution and psychological responses [41,42]. Green space may remove harmful gas and inhalable particles [43], attenuate noise pollution [44], and alter individuals' susceptibility to noise [45]. Green space may reduce both measured and perceived levels of air and noise pollution [46][47][48][49], which may further contribute to mental health [50][51][52]. ...
Residential green space is among the most accessible types of urban green spaces and may help maintain mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is insufficiently understood how residents use residential green space for exercise during the epidemic. The pathways between residential green space and mental health also merit further exploration. Therefore, we conducted an online study among Chinese residents in December 2021 to capture data on engagement with urban green space for green exercise, the frequency of green exercise, perceived pollution in green space, perceptions of residential green space, social cohesion, depression, and anxiety. Among the 1208 respondents who engaged in green exercise last month, 967 (80%) reported that green exercise primarily occurred in residential neighborhoods. The rest (20%) reported that green exercise occurred in more distant urban green spaces. The most common reasons that respondents sought green exercise in urban green spaces were better air and environmental qualities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was then employed to explore the pathways between the perceived greenness of residential neighborhoods and mental health among respondents who used residential green space for exercise. The final model suggested that residential green space was negatively associated with anxiety (β = −0.30, p = 0.001) and depression (β = −0.33, p < 0.001), mainly through indirect pathways. Perceived pollution and social cohesion were the two mediators that contributed to most of the indirect effects. Perceived pollution was also indirectly associated with green exercise through less social cohesion (β = −0.04, p = 0.010). These findings suggest a potential framework to understand the mental health benefits of residential green space and its accompanying pathways during the COVID-19 era.
... Open pit plants, especially in proximity to residential areas, constitute a significant nuisance mostly, but not only, in terms of noise and dust emissions [4]. Operational practice shows that activities aiming at limitation of dust pollutants are more effective when performed closer to the source of pollution, while sound protective screens and natural barriers can be built along the mine boundaries [41]. ...
This paper concerns investigations on dust particles and noise emission in mineral aggregate production. Two technological circuits of aggregate production were under investigation. The first circuit was based on a two-stage screening system, while the other was designed on a basis of a patented solution of regular aggregate production. Results of investigations show that an innovative circuit allows for reduction of screening stages which results in shortening the entire circuit. The quality of obtained products is better, while the environmental footprint of the latter circuit is lower. Results of investigations showed that reduction both in terms of dust particle emission and in noise generation was achieved.
This research was aimed at finding out the practices of urban forestry and urban greening in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Climate change issue has become a major topic of discussion among even the non-environmentalists because of its several effects on human and his environment. Types of plant species planted by homesteaders were appraised as well as reasons for the choices. Knowledge of climate change (causes, effects, and mitigations) were also appraised. Among the 30 participants that were involved in the Convenient sampling semi-structured survey, 43% had knowledge of climate change; 33% had knowledge of its causes; 40% were able to show some knowledge of role of vegetations in environmental purification, while all (100%) participants agreed that they would plant more vegetations if they had the knowledge of climate change and what role vegetations could play in curbing its effects. Various plant species were found around the homesteads including tree species, ornamental / horticultural, and agricultural species. The reasons for keeping the various species included economic, medicinal, and aesthetic values, in addition to others. More environmental education activities is recommended in order to increase people’s awareness to roles that greening of the environment can play in curbing the effects of climate change.
V-ї Всеукраїнської науково-практичної конференції «Наукові читання імені В.М. Виноградова», присвяченої 10-річчю заснування кафедри лісового та садово-паркового господарства Херсонського державного аграрно-економічного університету 25-26 травня 2023 року МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ УКРАЇНИ ХЕРСОНСЬКИЙ ДЕРЖАВНИЙ АГРАРНО-ЕКОНОМІЧНИЙ УНІВЕРСИТЕТ ДЕРЖАВНЕ СПЕЦІАЛІЗОВАНЕ ЛІСОЗАХИСНЕ ПІДПРИЄМСТВО «ХЕРСОНЛІСОЗАХИСТ» ДЕРЖАВНЕ ПІДПРИЄМСТВО «СТЕПОВИЙ ІМ. В.М. ВИНОГРАДОВА ФІЛІАЛ УКРНДІЛГА»
Artan nüfus, gelişen teknoloji, hızla çoğalan kentler ve sanayileşme ile bozulan doğal denge sonucu günden güne artan çevre sorunları, toplumların ekonomik ve sosyal yapısında değişimlere neden olmaktadır. Buna bağlı olarak, çevre sorunlarından biri olarak görülen gürültü kirliliği, insan sağlığı, yaşamı ve konforu üzerinde ciddi olumsuz etkilere sahiptir. Gürültü kirliliğini önemli bir sorun olarak kabul eden bireyler ve/veya kurumlar, trafikten kaynaklanan gürültünün saptanması ve gürültü kirliliğinin azaltılması konularında çalışmalarını sürdürmektedir. Gürültü kontrol çalışmalarında çeşitli yöntemler kullanılmaktadır. Bunlardan en yaygın olarak kullanılanı ise bitkisel gürültü perdeleridir. Bu çalışma, gürültü önlemede bitkisel materyalden yararlanmaya yönelik yapılan araştırmaların sonuçlarını ortaya koymaktadır. Özellikle, bitkilerin gürültü azaltma yeteneklerinin, bitkisel materyalin morfolojik özellikleriyle ilişkilendirildiği ve türlerin, gürültü azaltma yeteneklerinin saptanmasına yönelik ölçüm metotlarının ortaya konduğu pek çok ulusal ve uluslararası çalışma irdelenmiştir. Bu araştırma, söz konusu çalışmaların, sonuçlarının ortaya konması ve birbiriyle kıyaslanması noktasında değerlidir. Ortaya konulan veriler ve değerlendirmeler, gürültü perdelerinin planlanmasına, tasarımına ve özellikle tür seçimi konusuna ışık tutacak, gürültü kirliliği vb. çevre sorunlarının, insanlar üzerindeki etkilerinin azaltılmasına yönelik uygulamalar için rehber niteliği taşıyacaktır.
Noise pollution is becoming more and more acute, and hence many researchers are studying the noise attenuation effect and prevention of noise. In this study an attempt has been made to find the reduction in noise levels at National Highway 45 near peerkankaranai in Chennai. Two sensitive places were selected along NH 45 by examining attenuation of noise by providing noise barriers in the form of concrete structures.
The primary goal of this project was to identify innovative design of noise barrier that has the potential to be implemented in NH 45, Chennai. Based on the research and evaluation conducted for this study, it was recommended that two innovative barrier designs be implemented in Chennai. First, a noise prediction is made at the specified location on the highway under certain traffic conditions in order to determine the noise level by measurement and decide on the barrier requirement. The installation of sound barriers is feasible enough to cause a significant decrease in noise pollution at the roads. Considerable noise attenuation is achieved by providing concrete noise barrier.
The paper provides Leq at the time of traffic data recorded was 105.1 dBA at NH45 and 91.108 dBA at NH5 during the time of observation at installation of barrier the values are 70.09 dBA 79.11 dBA, respectively. Noise reduction is possible and noise reduction is predominantly reduced by providing barrier.
In this paper, we demonstrate that it is possible to improve the sound attenuation obtained from a mass of trees by arranging them in a periodic lattice. The outdoor experimental results have shown that the largest sound attenuation, within a certain range of frequencies, was obtained for a range of frequencies related to the array periodicity. This behaviour induces us to believe that these arrays of trees work like sonic crystals. The sound attenuation values obtained in outdoor experiments for some periodic tree configurations, especially at low frequencies (f500Hz), were far higher than those obtained from a typical green belt or forest. Therefore, these periodic arrays could be used as green acoustic screens.
The biologic plausibility for noise stress-related cardiovascular responses is well established. Epidemiologic studies on the relationship between transportation noise and ischemic heart disease suggest a higher risk of myocardial infarction in subjects exposed to high levels of traffic noise.
To determine the risk of road traffic noise for the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), we carried out a hospital-based case-control study in the city of Berlin. We enrolled consecutive patients (n=1881), age 20-69 years, with confirmed diagnosis of MI from 1998 through 2001. Controls (n=2234) were matched according to sex, age, and hospital. Outdoor traffic noise level was determined for each study subject based on noise maps of the city. Standardized interviews were conducted to assess possible confounding factors and the annoyance from various noise sources.
The adjusted odds ratio for men exposed to sound levels of more than 70 dB(A) during the day was 1.3 (95% confidence interval=0.88-1.8) compared with those where the sound level did not exceed 60 dBA. In the subsample of men who lived for at least 10 years at their present address, the odds ratio was 1.8 (1.0-3.2). Noise-exposed women were not at higher risk.
The results support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to high levels of traffic noise increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
It has been suggested that noise exposure increases the risk of hypertension. Road traffic is the dominant source of community noise exposure.
To study the association between exposure to residential road traffic noise and hypertension in an urban municipality.
The study population comprised randomly selected subjects aged 19-80 years. A postal questionnaire provided information on individual characteristics, including diagnosis of hypertension. The response rate was 77%, resulting in a study population of 667 subjects. The outdoor equivalent traffic noise level (Leq 24 h) at the residence of each individual was determined using noise-dispersion models and manual noise assessments. The individual noise exposure was classified in units of 5 dB(A), from <45 dB(A) to >65 dB(A).
The odds ratio (OR) for hypertension adjusted for age, smoking, occupational status and house type was 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 1.80) per 5 dB(A) increase in noise exposure. The association seemed stronger among women (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.50) and among those who had lived at the address for >10 years (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.83). Analyses of categorical exposure variables suggested an exposure-response relationship. The strongest association between exposure to traffic noise and hypertension was found among those with the least expected misclassification of true individual exposure, as indicated by not having triple-glazed windows, living in an old house and having the bedroom window facing a street (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.38 to 4.43).
The results of our study suggest an association between exposure to residential road traffic noise and hypertension.
Transmission of random noise through dense corn, a dense hemlock plantation, an open pine stand, dense hardwood brush, and over cultivated soil was measured. The relation between attenuation and frequency in these diverse cases suggested models that permit the prediction of attenuation in any configuration of vegetation and soil. The corn crop had an excess attenuation of 6 dB/100 ft for each doubling of frequency between 500 and 4000 Hz. On the other hand, the stems of the hemlock, pine, and brush all reduced noise by only about 5 dB/100 ft at 4000 Hz. Bare ground attenuates frequencies of 200–1000 Hz, and the frequency of maximum attenuation depends on the soil permeability to air. Thus, tilling the soil reduced the frequency of peak attenuation from 700 to 350 Hz and increased maximum attenuation at 52 m from the source by nearly 80%. Furthermore, earlier conflicting reports of noise attenuation by vegetation appear reconciled if ground attenuation is taken into account. Scattering and ground attenuation are the principal factors in sound attenuation by vegetation. Both factors attenuate relatively less sound as distance from the sound source increases. Hence measurements far from the source can underestimate the effect of a narrow band of vegetation or soil.
Many measurements of sound attenuation rates in forests have been made but there is little in common in the measuring procedures used or the results obtained. Consequently there is a considerable divergence of opinion on the effectiveness of vegetation as a noise control measure. In this paper the factors controlling the transmission of sound through vegetation are examined and the attenuation rates achieved in pine plantations are presented.
The propagation of sound through a large number of scatterers (i.e., trees) is treated in a similar way to a classical diffusion problem. A general differential equation governing the sound intensity is derived which is valid under certain conditions, notably that the depth of the belt of vegetation is large, and absorption small. The predictions of this theory are compared with results derived from a small scale model study, and with some field measurements. They are also compared with published field data. The implications of some of the conclusions reached for the practical achievement of effective sound attenuation are pointed out. In general, it would appear that significant noise reductions may be achieved for a predominantly high frequency source if the existing ground cover is acoustically hard, or if there is no ``ground effect'' attenuation between source and receiver for some other reason. In other cases, the noise reduction will be much lower and may be negative.
The effects of noise reduction of six tree belts were examined. An amplifier was placed in front of each tree belt, while a noise meter was placed at various heights and distances behind the tree belt. Net noise reduction effect termed as “relative attenuation” was obtained by subtracting the sound pressure level at each measurement site behind the tree belt from the sound pressure level at equal distances over open ground. Five parameters, including visibility, height, and width of the tree belt, height of receiver and noise source, and the distance between noise source and receiver, were studied. A multiple regression model demonstrating the order of importance of the five parameters in relation to relative attenuation was developed. The five parameters were then transformed into three-dimensionless parameters, i.e., h′: receiver and noise source height/tree height, d′: distance between noise source and receiver/tree height, and m′: belt width/visibility. By plotting the relative attenuation on the coordinate axis of h′, d′ and m′ and curve fitting, a three-dimensionless map of noise reduction by tree belts was formed. The map can be used as guidance in designing three belts for noise reduction in environmental planning.
Measurements were made at a number of sites of road traffic noise propagating through belts of trees and bushes and above grass-covered ground, respectively. The belt widths were between 3 and 25 m. The distance from the road to the front of the belts also varied from site to site. The microphones were placed 1·5 m above the ground. A comparison between attenuations obtained, expressed as differences in equivalent constant A-weighted sound pressure levels, LAeq, showed no significantly higher attenuation values for propagation through belts of trees than for propagation above grass-covered ground. Only in the frequency range above 2 kHz were attenuations significantly higher through the belts of trees and bushes. The belts of trees selected consisted mainly of deciduous trees and bushes between 5 and 10 years of age. Such types and widths are representative of what could often be used in normal urban situations in an attempt to provide practical noise reduction. According to the results of this investigation, however, these do not significantly reduce LAeq 1·5 m above the ground. Planting of belts of trees and bushes between roads and dwellings might influence the environmental quality of residential areas due to nonacoustic factors or reduce nuisance due to spectral changes not affecting LAeq. This has not been investigated.
This study investigates the noise reduction effect of 35 evergreen-tree belts. A point source of noise was positioned in front of the tree belts and the noise level at various points in the belts was measured with a noise meter. Factors important for noise reduction include visibility, width, height and length of the tree belts. Stepwise regression was employed to examine the factors associated with noise reduction. A negative logarithmic relationship between the visibility and relative attenuation was found. A positive logarithmic relationship between relative attenuation and the width, length or height of the tee belts was also found. A map showing the relationship between visibility together with width was plotted. The map provides some practical suggestions concerning design of tree belts for noise reduction.
The adverse effects of long-term exposure to a high volume of road traffic were studied in socio-acoustic surveys in 1997 and in 1999 after a substantial reduction in road traffic. The results obtained in 1997 showed a similar response pattern as in previously performed studies in the area in 1986 [Ohrström, J. Sound Vib. 122, 277-290 (1989)]. In 1999, road traffic had been reduced from 25000 to 2400 vehicles per day, and this resulted not only in a large decrease in annoyance and activity disturbances, but also in a better general well-being. The results suggest that a reduction in both noise and other pollutants from road traffic contribute to these effects. To be able to use the outdoor environment and to have the possibility to keep windows open is essential for general well-being and daily behavior, which implies that access both to quiet indoor and outdoor sections of the residency is of importance for achievement of a healthy sound environment. More knowledge of long-term health consequences of exposure to noise and simultaneous pollutants from road traffic is needed. Studies should focus more on "softer" health outcomes and well-being than hitherto and preferably be performed in connection with traffic abatement measures.