Evaluation of noise pollution caused by vehicles in the city of Tokat, Turkey

Noise pollution and its influence on environment and life quality of human beings may be considered as a hot topic in scientific research. Since there are no sufficient studies on noise pollution in Turkey, this study was carried out to determine motorway noise levels in Tokat city centre, located at the northern part of Turkey. Noise measurements were taken in the evening to determine noise pollution all over the city as motorway transportation noise. The equivalent sound levels - Leq- were measured at 65 points, between 17 and 19 p. m. in the city. High noise levels on these streets were observed throughout the city. At fifty of sixty-five measurement points (76.9%), noise values exceeded 65 dB(A), limit value according to Turkish noise control regulation, while at fifteen points (23.1%) this value was under this value. Statistical analysis revealed that, there were significant differences in noise levels among the streets (P < 0.05). The results showed that noise should be mentioned among the major environmental problems and studies aim at preventing it should have great priority.