Road traffic noise in Pakistan: A review

Road traffic noise is one of the major environmental problems in urban areas of Pakistan. Due to rapid increase in traffic density on the roads, traffic noise levels have gone much above the comfortable limits and roadside dwellers and traders are constantly exposed to high-level noise for long periods. This paper reviews the results of traffic noise surveys reported for some major cities of Pakistan. The condition of traffic noise in Pakistan is discussed with reference to the relevant national standards and community annoyance criteria, as well as the motor vehicle noise emission limits set by the European Economic Community. Some means and ways to limit high-level traffic noise in Pakistan are also discussed.