Noise Study along MRT-6 Corridor

This dataset contains acoustic noise level measurements collected along the elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 corridor in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The data was gathered to characterize the noise environment along this new urban infrastructure as part of an undergraduate thesis. The measurements were taken in September and October of 2024. The research hypothesis was that noise levels along the MRT corridor vary based on several factors. The study aimed to identify these factors and map out the noise scenario along the MRT-6 corridor.

Data Collection
Noise measurements were collected using a Class 1 sound level meter (CEM DT-8852) using the A-weighted decibel (dBA) scale. GPS software from a phone recorded coordinates for georeferencing. Several precautions were taken during data collection. Firstly, a windscreen was always used during measurements. Secondly, it was maintained at a height between 1.2 to 1.5 meters above the ground and placed at least 0.5 meters away from the observer to prevent sound reflections. A total of 37 locations were selected along the MRT-6 corridor, spaced approximately 500 meters apart to ensure spatial coverage. At each location, three data points were established: one directly adjacent to the MRT track on accessible footpaths or land uses and two others positioned parallel to the track at a distance of 60-100 meters on both sides. In total, there were 99 ground-level data points. Data measurements were taken during two distinct time periods: the morning peak hours (8:15 AM - 11:15 AM), when trains operated at eight-minute intervals, and the midday off-peak hours (11:45 AM - 2:45 PM), when train intervals extended to ten to twelve minutes. This resulted in a total of 198 measurements across two time periods. At each data point, noise measurements were taken for a duration of 20 minutes, with readings recorded at two-minute intervals.

Data Description
1. From the 20 minute raw data of 198 measurements, noise metrics (Leq, L10, L50, L90, Lmax) were calculated. The raw noise data and noise metrics can be found in Noise_Measurement.xlsx.
2. Coordinates for the 99 data points, their distance from the MRT track, Maximum Design Speed of MRT Trains and Land Use can be found in Data_Point_Information.xlsx.
3. The R codes used for statistical tests and noise modelling are provided in R Codes folder.