Changing Noise Climate of Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

Community noise levels in Ilorin metropolis were measured and analyzed. The noise climate variation was observed to be a function of time due to an increase in population density and other sources of environmental noise. There is increase in the day and night noise levels with growth in population. The noise levels have increased by 2 to 13 dB(A) in the past 20 years in Ilorin metropolis. Statistical analysis shows that the noise level exposure differs significantly from one location to another. High noise levels occur in the daytime at road junctions, followed by commercial centers and passengers loading parks. The noise map developed from this study based on the noise descriptors L _D, L _N, L _DN, TNI, and L _NP reveals high noise level exposure at the center of the city where commercial activities and clustered buildings with high population density exist. The noise map provides enough information for technical controls and interim legislation against environmental noise pollution in the metropolis.