Traffic Noise Affecting Residential Properties along Expressways - Dissertation Example

The level of traffic noises has been increasing at an alarming rate and householders are finding it difficult to maintain a healthy and noise-free life. Moreover, traffic noises in the wee hours affect the sleep and mood of householders leading to irritation and frustration (Espey and Lopez, 2000)

The research aims to investigate traffic noise affecting residential buildings along expressways in Hong Kong. Hong Kong like any other city in the world faces its share of traffic noises affecting the lives of millions of people. There is no doubt that the economy of Hong Kong has grown in the last few decades mainly because of the expansion of business and commercial activities. This has also led to an increase in the level of traffic noises ad business and commercial activities are very much driven by transportation. The impact has been severe in densely populated areas of the city but even expressways have been the major concern for many householders considering the fact that large numbers of vehicles move at wee hours causing mental stress and hearing problems (Hughes and Sirmans, 1992)

The Government of Hong Kong has been focusing on reducing the level of traffic noise by planning and policies implementation but the major issue of traffic noise for residents along expressways remains the major worry for the government. The next part of the discussion presents the research aim, objectives and questions.

The research aims to investigate traffic noises affecting residential buildings along expressways in Hong Kong. In order to strengthen the research aim, a few research objectives have been formulated.

The research objectives are as follow:

• To investigate traffic noises affecting residential buildings along expressways in Hong Kong
• To ascertain and investigate how traffic noises affect householders along expressways
• To identify ways through which traffic noises can be controlled along expressways
• To analyze the concept of the Hedonic Pricing Model in the context of traffic noises along expressways.