Monitoring and analysis of noise in urban environment

Noise is an unpleasant sound or sound phenomenon, which in certain intensity causes an uncomfortable feeling in man and affects his mental and physical condition, reduces labor productivity, hinders relaxation and sleep and creates anxiety and depression. Noise is a physical agent from the environment and tends to rise in developed countries and developing countries. In the European Union, about 30% of the population are exposed to traffic noise with an equivalent level higher than 55 dB(A) during the day, while 13% are exposed to an equivalent level higher than 65 dB(A). Noise can be from natural or anthropogenic origin and may be present only in the workplace or outside the workplace, environment for rest, recreation, healing or learning. This kind of noise, which the man encounters outside the workplace, is called communal or residential noise. In the general part of this master thesis is given a brief description of what is sound, what kind of sound exist, in which environment sound can be spread, energy, intensity, sound power, reception of sound in the human organism and harmful effect from the noise on the hearing organ. Main subject of the thesis is to define practical aspects of environmental noise measurements, define noise levels and main sources of noise in representative urban area. Noise monitoring is required for achieving and maintaining levels of noise in the environment in the defined areas and under different conditions, with the ultimate goal to protect the health and welfare of the population