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Linking Traffic Noise, Noise Annoyance and Life Satisfaction: A Case Study

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  • Jan Urban

    (Charles University Environment Center, José Martího 2, 160 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic)

  • Vojtěch Máca

    (Charles University Environment Center, José Martího 2, 160 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the link between rail and road traffic noise and overall life satisfaction. While the negative relationship between residential satisfaction and traffic noise is relatively well-established, much less is known about the effect of traffic noise on overall life satisfaction. Based on results of previous studies, we propose a model that links objective noise levels, noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, residential satisfaction and life satisfaction. Since it is not clear whether a bottom-up or top-down relationship between residential satisfaction and life satisfaction holds, we specify models that incorporate both of these theoretical propositions. Empirical models are tested using structural equation modeling and data from a survey among residents of areas with high levels of road traffic noise (n1 = 354) and rail traffic noise (n2 = 228). We find that traffic noise has a negative effect on residential satisfaction, but no significant direct or indirect effects on overall life satisfaction. Noise annoyance due to road and rail traffic noise has strong negative effect on residential satisfaction rather than on overall life satisfaction. These results are very similar for the road and railway traffic contexts and regardless of whether the model assumes the top-down or bottom-up direction of the causation between life satisfaction and residential satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Urban & Vojtěch Máca, 2013. "Linking Traffic Noise, Noise Annoyance and Life Satisfaction: A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:5:p:1895-1915:d:25537
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    1. Rosemary Hiscock & Pierpaolo Mudu & Matthias Braubach & Marco Martuzzi & Laura Perez & Clive Sabel, 2014. "Wellbeing Impacts of City Policies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-34, November.
    2. Natacha Grelat & Hélène Houot & Sophie Pujol & Jean-Pierre Levain & Jérôme Defrance & Anne-Sophie Mariet & Frédéric Mauny, 2016. "Noise Annoyance in Urban Children: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Francisco Guijarro, 2019. "Assessing the Impact of Road Traffic Externalities on Residential Price Values: A Case Study in Madrid, Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Matthias Braubach & Myriam Tobollik & Pierpaolo Mudu & Rosemary Hiscock & Dimitris Chapizanis & Denis A. Sarigiannis & Menno Keuken & Laura Perez & Marco Martuzzi, 2015. "Development of a Quantitative Methodology to Assess the Impacts of Urban Transport Interventions and Related Noise on Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-23, May.

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