Wed, Dec 24, 2025
[Archive]
.png)
1- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Isf. C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
2- Department of Environment, Ha. C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran.
3- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran.
2- Department of Environment, Ha. C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran.
3- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran.
Abstract: (23 Views)
Background: Among urban features, alleys have a unique potential to influence noise patterns through their structural attributes. This study aims to evaluate how specific alley characteristics, such as width, building height, and curvature, can mitigate traffic noise in urban environments, particularly in arid regions with limited greenery.
Methods: This field-based observational study, conducted in Isfahan, Iran, during spring 2024, investigates the noise-attenuating effects of alley characteristics, where noise levels and structural variables were analyzed using a non-linear mixed-effects model across six measurement points from 0 to 50 m within selected alleys. Initial noise levels at alley entrances averaged ≈70 dB (mean), decreasing to ≈44 dB at 50 m, demonstrating a significant reduction.
Results: The mixed-effects model revealed that fixed effects of structural characteristics explained 73% of the variance in noise attenuation (Marginal R² = 0.726), while the full model with random effects for alley variations accounted for 89% (Conditional R² = 0.888). Entrance width showed a positive association with noise, whereas building height and curvature significantly reduced noise propagation. Vegetation indices showed no significant impact on noise levels, likely reflecting the very low vegetation density (NDVI ≈0.14). This suggests that structural alley features, rather than greenery, dominate noise mitigation in arid regions.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of urban alley design in noise management, highlighting the role of narrower entrances, taller buildings, and curved pathways to enhance livability in noise-prone urban areas. Optimizing these structural features in urban planning can significantly reduce noise exposure, and future research should explore their applicability across diverse urban contexts.
Methods: This field-based observational study, conducted in Isfahan, Iran, during spring 2024, investigates the noise-attenuating effects of alley characteristics, where noise levels and structural variables were analyzed using a non-linear mixed-effects model across six measurement points from 0 to 50 m within selected alleys. Initial noise levels at alley entrances averaged ≈70 dB (mean), decreasing to ≈44 dB at 50 m, demonstrating a significant reduction.
Results: The mixed-effects model revealed that fixed effects of structural characteristics explained 73% of the variance in noise attenuation (Marginal R² = 0.726), while the full model with random effects for alley variations accounted for 89% (Conditional R² = 0.888). Entrance width showed a positive association with noise, whereas building height and curvature significantly reduced noise propagation. Vegetation indices showed no significant impact on noise levels, likely reflecting the very low vegetation density (NDVI ≈0.14). This suggests that structural alley features, rather than greenery, dominate noise mitigation in arid regions.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of urban alley design in noise management, highlighting the role of narrower entrances, taller buildings, and curved pathways to enhance livability in noise-prone urban areas. Optimizing these structural features in urban planning can significantly reduce noise exposure, and future research should explore their applicability across diverse urban contexts.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Occupational and Industrial Health
Received: 2025/10/11 | Accepted: 2025/12/13
Received: 2025/10/11 | Accepted: 2025/12/13
References
1. Amoatey, P., Omidvarbona, H., Baawain, M. S., Al-Mayahi, A., Al-Mamun, A., & Al-Harthy, I. (2020). Exposure assessment to road traffic noise levels and health effects in an arid urban area. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 27(28), 35051-35064. [Crossref]
2. Amran, M., Fediuk, R., Murali, G., Vatin, N., & Al-Fakih, A. (2021). Sound-absorbing acoustic concretes: A review. Sustainability, 13(19), 10712. [Crossref]
3. Arsalan, M., Chamani, A., & Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi, R. (2024). Sustaining tranquility in small urban green parks: A modeling approach to identify noise pollution contributors. Sustainable Cities and Society, 113, 105655. [Crossref]
4. Balasbaneh, A. T., Yeoh, D., & Abidin, A. R. Z. (2020). Life cycle sustainability assessment of window renovations in schools against noise pollution in tropical climates. Journal of Building Engineering, 32, 101784. [Crossref]
5. Collecchia, R. E., Abel, J. S., Coffin, S. A., Callery, E., Yeh, Y. H., Spratt, K. S., & Smith III, J. O. (2014). On the acoustics of alleyways. Audio engineering society convention 137. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Regina-Collecchia/publication/265595257_On_the_Acoustics_of_Alleyways/links/57f1afce08ae886b89791a66/On-the-Acoustics-of-Alleyways.pdf
6. Eren, B., Likos, S., & Çelebi, A. (2024). Effectiveness of noise barriers in sensitive urban areas: A comprehensive study on noise reduction strategies and public health implications. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31, 60093-60107. [Crossref]
7. Gimper, B., Huth, D., Olson, C., Quarre, J., & Tetreault, S. (2010). Revitalizing the alleyways of downtown bellingham, washington: Environmental impact assessment. College of the Environment Graduate and Undergraduate Publications.
8. González, D. M., Morillas, J. M. B., & Rey-Gozalo, G. (2023). Effects of noise on pedestrians in urban environments where road traffic is the main source of sound. Science of the Total Environment, 857, 159406. [Crossref]
9. Kalawapudi, K., Singh, T., Dey, J., Vijay, R., & Kumar, R. (2020). Noise pollution in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR): An emerging environmental threat. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192, 152. [Crossref]
10. Kotzen, B., & English, C. (2014). Environmental noise barriers: A guide to their acoustic and visual design, second edition. CRC Press. [Crossref]
11. Krittanawong, C., Qadeer, Y. K., Hayes, R. B., Wang, Z., Virani, S., Zeller, M., . . . & Lavie, C. J. (2023). Noise exposure and cardiovascular health. Current Problems in Cardiology, 48(12), 101938. [Crossref]
12. Lee, P. J., & Kang, J. (2015). Effect of height-to-width ratio on the sound propagation in urban streets. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 101(1), 73-87. [Crossref]
13. Peplow, A., Persson, P., & Andersen, L. V. (2021). Evaluating annoyance mitigation in the screening of train-induced noise and ground vibrations using a single-leaf traffic barrier. Science of the Total Environment, 790, 147877. [Crossref]
14. Pocock, Z., & Lawrence, R. E. (2005). How far into a forest does the effect of a road extend? Defining road edge effect in eucalypt forests of south-eastern Australia. California Digital Library, University of California.
15. Priyatna, E. S. (2024). A cultural history of indonesian urban soundscape: Locating urban experiences within the urban soundscape of Indonesia [PhD thesis, University of Sussex]. file:///C:/Users/DBE1MANSORI/Downloads/Priyatna,%20Endang%20Suryana.pdf
16. Rodríguez Martínez, D. (2022). Green alleys: a local approach to a sustainable urban environment A Montreal case study. McGill University.
17. Sakieh, Y., Jaafari, S., Ahmadi, M., & Danekar, A. (2017). Green and calm: Modeling the relationships between noise pollution propagation and spatial patterns of urban structures and green covers. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 24, 195-211. [Crossref]
18. Tang, U. W., & Wang, Z. S. (2007). Influences of urban forms on traffic-induced noise and air pollution: Results from a modelling system. Environmental Modelling & Software, 22(12), 1750-1764. [Crossref]
19. Torija, A. J., & Flindell, I. H. (2014). Listening laboratory study of low height roadside noise barrier performance compared against in-situ field data. Building and Environment, 81, 216-225. [Crossref]
20. Tsoi, K. H., Loo, B. P. Y., Li, X., & Zhang, K. (2023). The co-benefits of electric mobility in reducing traffic noise and chemical air pollution: Insights from a transit-oriented city. Environment International, 178, 108116. [Crossref]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
© 2024 The Author(s)
