Evaluation of the spatiotemporal variations of road traffic noise pollution and public cognizance of associated health hazards within urban environments

Road traffic noise (RTN) pollution, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a significant threat to human health and well-being, necessitates accurate characterization of its spatiotemporal variations in urban environments through robust monitoring networks. This study investigated RTN pollution, its potential health ramifications, and public cognizance in Srinagar, India. Noise measurements were conducted at 43 locations using a calibrated sound level meter (SLM), and Sound-PLAN 8.2 generated contour maps to assess ambient noise exposure. Survey results from 1,253 participants revealed that 67.1% were exposed to noise levels exceeding 55 dB(A). Using Inverse Distance Weighting interpolation and Sound-PLAN simulations, peak noise levels in central urban zones ranged from 67 to 92.3 dB(A), underscoring considerable health risks and the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies. Predictive modeling demonstrated high accuracy, with hyperparameter-optimized models yielding R² = 0.89, MAE = 0.63, and MSE = 0.42. Demographic analysis revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in awareness levels based on gender, education, and occupation. The Average Awareness Index Score (AAIS) for chronic health conditions, diabetes (1.49), heart attack (1.54), stroke (1.41), and hypertension (1.86) indicated limited public cognizance of long-term health risks. Respondents attributed various health issues to residential noise pollution, including headaches (37%), sleep disturbances (24%), annoyance (18%), and stress (15%). The study advocates for the integration of noise mitigation strategies, public health education, and policy-driven interventions aligned with international standards to effectively manage the escalating burden of noise pollution in rapidly urbanizing contexts.