Field Measurements and Human Perception to Remediate Noise Pollution in the Urban Public Parks in Saudi Arabia

Saleem S. AlSaleem (), Abdulbasit Almhafdy, Umberto Berardi, Amal A. Al-Shargabi and Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali
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Saleem S. AlSaleem: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Abdulbasit Almhafdy: Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Planning, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Umberto Berardi: Department of Architectural Science, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, 325 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Amal A. Al-Shargabi: Department of Information Technology, College of Computer, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali: Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Planning, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: The deleterious effects of noise pollution on public health have been well documented, with traffic noise being identified as a significant contributor to stress and adverse impacts on the human body and mind. In this study, sound levels at 12 different points in Al-Oqailat Park in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, were measured using a sound level meter (SLM), with the study’s primary objective being to conduct this measurement. The experimental results were then compared with perception measurements collected from users who frequently visited Al-Oqailat park. Sound measurements were taken in four different zones (A, B, C, and D) during rush hours between 1:30 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. It was found that noise levels at point A1 peaked at 79 dBA at 4:40 p.m., while the lowest level recorded was 41.1 dBA at point D2 at 2:35 p.m. The range of noise levels varied between 79 and 41 dBA, with a rate of decline of 48.10%. Zones A and B seemed to have the highest noise levels during rush hours, since they were located closest to King Fahd Road and Al-Adl Street, while zone D exhibited the lowest noise levels due to its location as a parking lot for Buraydah Court. An intermediate noise level was found in zone C, in the middle of Al-Oqailat park. The people perception results, completed by 84 park visitors, showed that zone A was identified as having exceptionally high noise levels compared to the other zones, with zone D having the lowest levels. These results were consistent with the experimental findings and reflected that the points along King Fahd Road and Al-Adl Street had the highest noise levels. Overall, the research highlighted the dominance of car traffic and horns as the primary sources of noise pollution in and around Al-Oqailat Park, emphasizing the significance of meticulous site selection for parks in urban areas.

Keywords: noise level; urban parks; sound level meter; soundscape; environment; land use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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