Noise Pollution Modeling in Regions 5 and 6 of Isfahan City

Subject Areas : Environmental Planning and Management

Mostafa Moradi ¹ , Mozhgan Ahmadi Nadoushan ²

1 - Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agriculture, Water, Food, and Nutraceuticals, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agriculture, Water, Food, and Nutraceuticals, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Received: 2025-07-24 Accepted : 2026-01-15 Published : 2026-01-20

Keywords: Noise pollution, Traffic, Inverse Distance Weighted, Isfahan.,

Abstract :

Noise pollution, as a significant environmental challenge in metropolitan areas, adversely affects citizens' health and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate noise pollution in municipal districts 5 and 6 of Isfahan, located in the southern part of the city. Sound level data (in decibels A, or dBA) were collected from 23 sampling points (12 in District 5 and 11 in District 6) between 16:00 and 18:00 on weekdays. Sampling points were selected to ensure homogeneous geographical distribution and coverage of areas with varying traffic intensities (from low to high traffic). The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method was employed to analyze the spatial distribution of noise pollution. Additionally, the Getis-Ord Gi* method was used to identify hotspots and coldspots of noise pollution. A one-way ANOVA test, assuming data normality and homogeneity of variances, was conducted to compare sound levels between Districts 5 and 6, assessing statistically significant differences. The results indicated that District 5, with an average sound level of 73.39 dBA, exhibited higher noise intensity than District 6, with an average of 69.31 dBA. The IDW interpolation analysis revealed that the southern and southwestern areas of District 5, particularly near high-traffic roads and commercial zones, were primary noise pollution hotspots, with levels exceeding 78 dBA. The Getis-Ord Gi* analysis confirmed four hotspots in District 5 and two coldspots in District 6, consistent with the interpolation patterns. These findings can inform urban planning, traffic management in hotspot areas, and efforts to enhance the acoustic environment in southern Isfahan.

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