Exploring nighttime road traffic noise: A comprehensive predictive surface for Toronto, Canada

Figures & data

Figure 1. Locations in Toronto where noise measurements were collected. Short-term sampling sites for (A) cycle one, (B) cycle two, and (C) cycle three. (D) Long-term (7-day) sampling sites. For long-term sampling sites: Site 1 = Wentworth Avenue; Site 2 = Barbara Crescent; Site 3 = Dufferin Street; Site 4 = Bowood Avenue; Site 5 = Bloor Street; Site 6 = Queens Quay West; Site 7 = Lawton Boulevard (west side); Site 8 = Lawton Boulevard (east side); Site 9 = Chase Road.; Site 10 = Protea Gardens; Site 11 = Genella Square; Site 12 = Singer Court; Site 13 = Gala Lane; Site 14 = Tullis Drive; Site 15 = Lamb Avenue; Site 16 = Parkview Hill Crescent.

Figure 2. Measured and model-estimated temporal noise variation in Toronto during a 7-day week. Shaded regions correspond to nighttime (11 p.m.–7 a.m.). Horizontal lines correspond to the nighttime noise guideline (40 dBA, 8-hr L_eq) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for health protection and the daytime road traffic sound guideline (55 dBA, 16-hr L_eq) for outdoor living areas recommended by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC).

Figure 3. Nighttime (2 a.m.–2:30 a.m.) noise levels in Toronto. Noise levels (A) on a continuous scale and (B) categorized based on a 55-dBA cut-off, as estimated using the final predictive surface.

Table 1. Nighttime and daytime road traffic noise levels reported for North American and western European cities.

Study	Location(s)	Time	Noise level (Leq) (dBA)	Extent of excessive noise
This study (measured^A)	Toronto	Day (continuous 30 min periods over 16 hr)	Mean ± SD: 56.9 ± 8.8Median (Range): 55.7 (38.5–79.0)	52% of 30 min periods >55 dBA
		Night (continuous 30 min periods over 8 hr)	Mean ± SD: 52.5 ± 9.7Median (Range): 52.3 (31.6–77.2)	92% of 30 min periods >40 dBA
This study (model estimate)	Toronto	Night (30 min) (2 a.m.–2:30 a.m.)	Mean ± SD: 56.9 ± 3.7Range: 49.3–110.2	100% of the city >40 dBA
Linares et al. 2017 (measured)^[^38^]	Madrid	Day (14 hr)	Mean ± SD: 64.6 ± 1.4Range: 59.4–69.0	Not available
		Night (10 hr)	Mean ± SD: 59.4 ± 1.4Range: 55.0–67.2	Not available
Ragettli et al. 2016 (measured)^[^17^]	Montreal	Night (7 hr)	Mean ± SD: 57.9 ± 6.0Median (Range): 57.9 (44.5–71.9)	Not available
Aguilera et al. 2015 (measured)^[^19^]	Three European cities	Day (20 min)	Mean ± SD: 61.1 ± 6.4 in Basel, 63.9 ± 6.2 in Girona, and 64.5 ± 6.7 in GrenobleMedian: 62.4 in Basel, 64.6 in Girona, and 66.9 in Grenoble	Not available
Gulliver et al. 2015 (model estimate)^[^18^]	London	Night (7 hr)	Median (Range): 50.1 (49.2–78.4)	100% of the city >40 dBA
McAlexander et al. 2015 (measured)^[^16^]	New York City	Day (10 min, 4 times a day)	Mean: 73.4Range: 55.8–95.0	Majority of sites ≥70 dBA
Kheirbek et al. 2014 (measured)^[^39^]	New York City	Day (15 hr)	Mean ± SD: 71.7 ± 5.7Range: 61.0–84.2	Not available
		Night (9 hr)	Mean ± SD: 67.9 ± 6.2Range: 55.9–79.0	Not available
Lee et al. 2014 (measured)^[^15^]	Three US cities	Day (10 min)	Mean ± SD: 65.1 ± 7.4 in Atlanta, 66.4 ± 4.6 in Los Angeles, and 69.2 ± 4.1 in New York City	Not available

Abbreviations: dBA, A-weighted decibels; L_eq, equivalent continuous noise level.

^A Long-term (7-day) measurements only.

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