Author(s): Isabelle Becker

Abstract: Traffic-related noise pollution has emerged as a persistent environmental stressor in urban and peri-urban areas, with schools located near busy roads being particularly vulnerable. Prolonged exposure to elevated noise levels has been associated with adverse effects on children’s cognitive development, attention span, reading comprehension, and overall academic performance. Despite growing awareness, many schools in low- and middle-income regions lack access to complex acoustic studies or high-cost engineering solutions. This review-based research focuses on simple traffic noise, assessment approaches and evaluates low-cost mitigation options that can be realistically implemented around schools. The paper synthesizes existing evidence on traffic noise, characteristics, commonly used indicators such as equivalent continuous sound level (Leq), and typical noise levels observed near school environments. Emphasis is placed on three practical mitigation measures: vegetative or plant barriers, modification of boundary wall height, and adjustment of setback distance between the roadway and school buildings. The effectiveness of these measures is discussed in terms of achievable noise reduction, space requirements, maintenance needs, and contextual feasibility. Plant barriers, when properly designed with adequate width, height, and foliage density, can contribute to modest but meaningful noise attenuation while offering additional environmental benefits. Increasing wall height and optimizing wall materials are shown to provide more immediate and predictable reductions in noise levels, particularly for ground-floor classrooms. Setback distance emerges as a highly effective yet often overlooked strategy, as even small increases in distance from the traffic source can significantly lower noise exposure. The review highlights that no single measure is universally sufficient and that combined, context-specific solutions yield the best outcomes. The findings support the hypothesis that simple assessment tools coupled with low-cost physical interventions can substantially reduce traffic noise, exposure in school environments, thereby improving learning conditions. The research aims to assist local agencies, school administrators, and planners in making informed, evidence-based decisions using accessible methods.

DOI: 10.22271/27078329.2026.v5.i1a.69

Pages: 41-45 | Views: 66 | Downloads: 30

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