Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study

Despite the formal protection of many natural areas, the problem of noise pollution poses a serious challenge to the preservation of their ecological integrity and biodiversity. Traffic noise generated by vehicle traffic on public roads disrupts natural biological processes, negatively affecting ani...

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Main Authors: Jordan Wilk, Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz, Tomasz Słowik, Przemysław Stachyra, Grzegorz Zając
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6511
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author Jordan Wilk
Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz
Tomasz Słowik
Przemysław Stachyra
Grzegorz Zając
author_facet Jordan Wilk
Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz
Tomasz Słowik
Przemysław Stachyra
Grzegorz Zając
author_sort Jordan Wilk
collection DOAJ
description Despite the formal protection of many natural areas, the problem of noise pollution poses a serious challenge to the preservation of their ecological integrity and biodiversity. Traffic noise generated by vehicle traffic on public roads disrupts natural biological processes, negatively affecting animals and the quality of the audiosphere. This research aimed to assess the acoustic impact of the public road network crossing the Roztocze National Park (RPN, Poland) and to characterize noise propagation as a factor polluting the environment and disrupting the functioning of natural forest ecosystems. The equivalent sound pressure level (<i>L<sub>Aeq</sub></i>) was measured at different distances from four public roads crossing the park. A terrain analysis was also taken into account to determine the impact of height differences on sound propagation. To enhance the acoustic analysis, recordings of environmental sounds were made, and their components, including both natural and anthropogenic sounds, were identified. It was found that traffic noise dominated natural sounds at distances 250 m from roads. The results obtained indicate the need for an integrated approach to protected area management, including noise monitoring, the implementation of noise protection regulations, and environmental education.
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spelling doaj-art-92aa9a9540bd46c19f892d03168c303e2025-08-20T03:32:27ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512651110.3390/app15126511Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case StudyJordan Wilk0Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz1Tomasz Słowik2Przemysław Stachyra3Grzegorz Zając4Department of Power Engineering and Transportation, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Głeboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Power Engineering and Transportation, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Głeboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Power Engineering and Transportation, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Głeboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, PolandRoztocze National Park, ul Plażowa 2, 22-470 Zwierzyniec, PolandDepartment of Power Engineering and Transportation, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Głeboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDespite the formal protection of many natural areas, the problem of noise pollution poses a serious challenge to the preservation of their ecological integrity and biodiversity. Traffic noise generated by vehicle traffic on public roads disrupts natural biological processes, negatively affecting animals and the quality of the audiosphere. This research aimed to assess the acoustic impact of the public road network crossing the Roztocze National Park (RPN, Poland) and to characterize noise propagation as a factor polluting the environment and disrupting the functioning of natural forest ecosystems. The equivalent sound pressure level (<i>L<sub>Aeq</sub></i>) was measured at different distances from four public roads crossing the park. A terrain analysis was also taken into account to determine the impact of height differences on sound propagation. To enhance the acoustic analysis, recordings of environmental sounds were made, and their components, including both natural and anthropogenic sounds, were identified. It was found that traffic noise dominated natural sounds at distances 250 m from roads. The results obtained indicate the need for an integrated approach to protected area management, including noise monitoring, the implementation of noise protection regulations, and environmental education.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6511environmental pollution from traffic noisenoise immissionnature conservation areasRoztocze National Park
spellingShingle Jordan Wilk
Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz
Tomasz Słowik
Przemysław Stachyra
Grzegorz Zając
Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study
Applied Sciences
environmental pollution from traffic noise
noise immission
nature conservation areas
Roztocze National Park
title Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study
title_full Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study
title_fullStr Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study
title_short Evaluation of the Acoustic Impact of the Public Road Network on a Nature Conservation Area: A Case Study
title_sort evaluation of the acoustic impact of the public road network on a nature conservation area a case study
topic environmental pollution from traffic noise
noise immission
nature conservation areas
Roztocze National Park
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6511
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