Delay, fuel loss and noise pollution during idling of vehicles at signalized intersection in Agartala city, India

Abstract

Agartala, capital of Tripura, India faces traffic congestion particularly in the different road intersection due to rapid and uncontrolled development by an unacceptable level of disparity in transportation demand and supply scenario resulting in environmental degradation as well as delay and fuel loss. When the vehicles are waiting for their turn to clear the intersection, the drivers normally keep the engines of their vehicle on and unnecessary hoot horns. As a result vehicle delay, fuel loss & noise level are increased particularly at the signalized intersection. 5 (five) representative signalized intersections of varying traffic volume have been selected in this study to ascertain delay, fuel loss & noise level during idling of vehicles. The study indicates that the noise level exceeds permissible levels and vehicular delays are high as more than 60 sec/vehicle during peak hour at all important signalized intersections. The study reveals that North Gate intersection is found to be the busiest intersection as well as the noisiest intersection. In North Gate, during daytime noise level is in between 66.7 dB (A) to 108.6 dB (A) and during night time 60.4 dB (A) to 100.9 dB (A) which is ill effective on human health and environment. In Math Chowmuhani intersection fuel loss is maximum comparing to other four intersections.  A direct correlation between vehicular delay versus noise level, traffic volume versus delay and traffic volume versus noise level have been proposed. These equations could be used as an effective tool in traffic management, land use planning and pollution control. After implementation of remedial measures, vehicular delay, fuel loss and noise level of all signalized intersection of Agartala city can be reduced. Delay, fuel loss and noise level at different signalized intersection of Agartala city and strategies to control the noise pollution have been discussed in this paper.

Keywords: Signalized Intersection, Average Daily Traffic (ADT), Noise Level, Fuel loss