Monitoring and Assessment of Noise Pollution: Case Study of Cantonment Railway Station Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Noise pollution has become a major hazard to the human health all over the world particularly in the densely populated urban areas. Its major sources also include railway transportation. Besides being an important mean of the transport and economic growth, the railway transportation is also posing a hazard in form of the noise pollution. The purpose of this study is to monitor and analyze the noise level from different sources at cantonment railway station Karachi, Pakistan. A methodology with the help of noise meter and feedback from the general public has been followed and relevant data has been collected. The data analysis was carried out using analytic hierarchical process (AHP) model. The results of the study showed that noise levels are higher than the acceptable standards. Main sources of the noise have been identified. The control measures are also suggested to minimize the higher noise levels and to bring the noise level to the minimum acceptable levels.