Community response to road traffic noise in Kumamoto

Abstract The present study used the same questionnaire and noise measurement method as was employed in the Muroran-Gothenburg Joint Study. The object was to investigate the difference in community response owing to different environmental and/or social factors, such as climate, house structure, nationality and characteristics of the cities, by directly comparing data from Kumamoto (or Kyushu), Muroran (or Hokkaido) and, in the near future, Gothenburg. For the survey, an area along a main road in Kumamoto was selected, which had a traffic volume greater than 60 000 vehicles/day in 1989. The interview method was used in the survey. Day-long measurements were conducted at the reference point in the area and 10-minute simultaneous measurements were also conducted at the road shoulder and in front of the houses. The following main conclusions can be presented. (1) noise exposure in front of the wall facing the road may be greater than that in front of the wall of the living room. (2) L eq contributes most to TV/radio disturbance in Kumamoto, but contributes least in Muroran; this difference appears to be dependent upon the difference in noise exposure and window type: 96 dB(A) maximum noise level and single pane in Kumamoto vs. 86 dB(A) and double pane in Muroran.