STUDY OF TRAFFIC NOISE LEVEL IN KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

Kota Bharu is a city in Malaysia that serves as the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan. The study was conducted in the area of Kota Bharu, Kelantan in order to study the traffic noise level which contribute to noise pollution to the city. Three sampling locations were selected to conduct the noise monitoring which were; Jalan Hamzah, Kota Bharu, Kelantan (main road in front of KB Mall), Jalan Hamzah, Kota Bharu, Kelantan (main road to Tesco Mall/Wakaf Bharu) and Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab 1, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan (main road in front of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSH)). The study was conducted in order to identify the impacts of noise pollution to the citizens. A calibrated sound level meter (Pulsar Model 64 Sound Level Meter) was used to measure the traffic noise level at three different measuring points within the study area. The noise was measured in A-weighting scale unit of decibel, dB(A). Measurements were taken during the day (6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.) and night (10.00 p.m. to 12.00 p.m.) in order to establish the noise impact caused by the peak time and non-peak time in the city. The traffic noise produced from the engine, horn, wheel friction and exhaust sound of vehicles such as motorcar, motorcycle, lorry and bus. The three sampling locations were located nearby some commercial and business buildings.
Key words: Traffic and ambient noise level, Sound level meter, A-weighting scale, Decibel.