Abstract

This paper investigated the significant human and environmental consequences of traffic noise in Jos, Nigeria. Subjective noise responses data of the respondents exposed to road traffic noise was collected using a structured questionnaire. A total of 1,135 copies of the questionnaire representing 0.5% of the total household heads in Jos metropolis were administered during the field survey. The questionnaire was self-administered and with the help of field assistants at random to the respondents. The questionnaire contained some opinion questions on the effects and consequences of traffic noise on human and environment. Five medical doctors in some of the public and private hospitals in Jos metropolis were interviewed to obtain their expert’s views on the effects and consequences of road traffic on human health and wellbeing using Key Informant Interview (KII) guide. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses. The findings revealed that, there was a significant and positive relationship between road traffic noise and human and environmental consequences in Jos (r=0.556, p< 0.05). It further revealed that hypertension, hearing impairment and CVD cases were highly prevalent in Jos. This paper, therefore, recommends among others planting of trees, shrubs and vegetations along the roadways to serve as buffer (barrier) against road traffic noise pollution being emanated by the moving vehicles thereby mitigating the impact of noise pollution on the affected residents.

Keywords:Consequences; Environmental; Human; Jos metropolis; Noise levels; Traffic