Noise Exposure from Rail Line Crossing Alarms and Urban Traffic in Sreemangal, Bangladesh: A Smartphone-Based Case Study

Noise Exposure from Rail Line Crossing Alarms and Urban Traffic in Sreemangal, Bangladesh: A Smartphone-Based Case Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Noise Exposure from Rail Line Crossing Alarms and Urban Traffic in Sreemangal, Bangladesh: A Smartphone-Based Case Study Riday Paul This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839098/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Environmental noises from rail crossing are an under-appreciated public health issue, especially in rural towns in developing nations. This case study examines exposure to noises at a railway line crossing in Sreemangal, Bangladesh, with the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app for iPhone 14 Pro Max. From a two-minute sample recorded at 9:00 PM, the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) recorded was 93.1 dB and the maximum sound pressure of 108.3 dB. The field observations indicated that every train causes a warning alert about five minutes prior to arrival, followed by 7–8 minutes of intense exposure per occurrence. With as many as 12 occurrences per day, overall exposure is 84–96 minutes of too much noise. Importantly, some rail crossings happen from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM, and concern is raised for exposure and long-time health impact. The study emphasizes the immediate requirement for systematic screening and mitigation measures in South Asia's semi-urban areas. Noise pollution rail crossing urban noise Bangladesh NIOSH SLM environmental health night-time noise Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 1. Introduction Noise pollution is increasingly a public and environmental health concern worldwide, linked with a variety of negative outcomes including hearing loss, sleep disruption, cardiovascular disease, and psychological stress. Although motor and industrial noises in big cities tend to receive the most attention, smaller and medium-sized towns, particularly in developing countries, experience significant exposure, especially where urban planning and infrastructure are underdeveloped. One of the more underappreciated sources of environmental sound is railway crossings. They consist of automated warning alarms and moving vehicles producing repetitive, high-level sound events day and night. Where residential, commercial, and pedestrian zones are located near railway tracks in urban, mixed-use settings, this sound has the potential to create significant disruption. This case study is drawn from a railway crossing in Sreemangal, a town located in northeastern Bangladesh, where trains cross as many as 12 times per day. Every crossing is preceded with the warning sound for several minutes, and this results in prolonged exposure periods exceeding the reference sound levels. The overall objective of this research is to measure the exposures with a smartphone-based sound-level meter and assess the associated health risks for people living and working close to the crossing. By using actual data, the study is expected to contribute to future policy and public health interventions for semiurban settings in South Asia and other parts of the world. 2. Methodology The research site was a railway crossing in the semi-urban town of Sreemangal, in northeastern Bangladesh. Noise levels were measured in front of a small business shop opposite the crossing—a fairly standard environment with mixed use and relatively moderate pedestrian and vehicular activity. Sound levels were measured with the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app, downloaded onto the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The app has been tested for reproducibility and is Type 2 sound level meter compliant with high-end smart devices. The app recorded for two minutes at about 9:00 PM as a train passed through the crossing. The following acoustic parameters were recorded: Equivalent Continuous Sound Level (LAeq): 93.1 dB Maximum Sound Level: 97.7 dB Peak Level (LCpeak): 108.3 dB Time-Weighted Average (TWA): 69.3 dB Dose (2-minute): 2.6% Projected 8-hour Dose: 646% As shown in Fig. 1, the map illustrates the location of the study site within Sreemangal Upazila. (Insert Fig. 1 here) 3. Results The measured sound levels for the 9:00 PM rail crossing incident showed significant exposure. Equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) stood at 93.1 dB, with the peak sound pressure (LCpeak) being 108.3 dB. The calculated 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) dose came to 646%, far above the recommended occupational exposure guidelines. Fig. 2 shows the detailed noise measurements during a 9:00 PM train crossing event. (Insert Fig. 2 here) Field observations showed that every train sets off the alarm about five minutes prior to arrival. The total sound event—alarm and train passage—was about 7–8 minutes long. Sixty trains move in each direction during the day, and the crossing is subject to as many as 12 high-noise events per day, collectively totaling about 84 to 96 minutes. The distribution pattern of 12 daily train crossings is displayed in Fig. 3. (Insert Fig. 3 here) Specifically, several of the crossings are between 2:00 and 6:00 AM when the ambient sound levels are at their lows, potentially worsening slumber disruption for neighboring residents. 4. Discussion The sound levels recorded exceed international standards of environmental and occupational health. Even according to the World Health Organization (2009), exposure at night must not exceed 40 dB LAeq for the sake of preventing sleep disruption. Likewise, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, 1998) stipulates that exposure must be less than 85 dB LAeq for 8 hours in the workplace. Since the measured LAeq of 93.1 dB and the estimated 8-hour dose of 646% represent noise levels to which residents and employees near the rail crossing are consistently exposed, the situation is worsening with nighttime and early-morning rail operations, potentially disrupting sleep, and causing stress and fatigue as well as long-term health setbacks. The cumulative impact of the noise—because of its frequency and length—merits serious public health attention. Interventions could involve the adjustment of alarm systems, the provision of noise barriers, or urban planning improvements that establish buffer zones between rail infrastructure and residential space. 5. Conclusion This case study focuses attention on the high environmental exposure to noise faced by people living close to a rail crossing in Sreemangal, Bangladesh. With 12 alarms per day, with each lasting 7–8 minutes and with sound levels above 93 dB, people living in the area are subjected to recurrent exposure far above the international limits for safety. The results highlight the critical necessity for extensive noise monitoring, policy-making, and neighborhood-scale mitigation to safeguard the health of the public, especially semi-urban communities that tend to be neglected in environmental policy. 6. Limitations This study has the following limitations: • Short measurement time: Noise levels were recorded for only two minutes at about 9:00 PM. Measurements in the morning and midday periods as well as the evening hours are needed to give more insight into the overall noise profile. • Single site: The recording was conducted in a single site close to the crossing. More sites would be beneficial for determining spatial variation in exposure to noise. • Smartphone-based measurement: Although the NIOSH SLM app is accurate for verification purposes, the app is not a substitute for Type 1 calibrated sound level meters normally employed in formal assessments. Further studies should incorporate longer durations of monitoring, multiple sampling locations, and seasonal differences in order to achieve a more comprehensive picture of environmental noise exposure in small towns. 7. Recommendations The following are suggested as mitigating the above-mentioned risks: Introduction of quieter alarm systems or adaptive warning signals that lower the night-time noise while preserving safety. Construction of sound-insulating walls and noise barriers in heavily congested rail crossing locations. Implement urban zoning regulations to expand the distance between railway infrastructure and residential/commercial structures. Community education programs that inform the public about the health impact of exposure to noise and the methods of coping. Establishment of local policies for the monitoring of noises, particularly for semi-urban towns not included in national environmental health policies. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Funding: No funding was received for this study. Author Contribution Author Contributions Statement:R.P. (Riday Paul) is the sole author of this manuscript and was responsible for the conception, design, data collection, analysis, and writing of the entire manuscript. Acknowledgments: The author acknowledges the support from local residents during data collection. Availability of data and materials: The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing interests: The author declares no competing interests. References Basner M, Babisch W, Davis A, Brink M, Clark C, Janssen S, et al. Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health. Lancet . 2014;383(9925):1325–33. Kumar R, Jain R. Assessment of noise pollution due to rail traffic in Indian metropolitan areas. J Environ Res Dev . 2018;12(4):1–10. Neitzel R, Gershon RRM, Zeltser M, Canton A, Akram M. Noise levels associated with urban land use. J Urban Health . 2009;86(3):551–61. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Criteria for a recommended standard: Occupational noise exposure. Revised Criteria 1998. Cincinnati: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 1998. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/ World Health Organization. Night noise guidelines for Europe. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2009. Available from: https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43316/E92845.pdf Rahman T, Alam S. Noise exposure in semi-urban communities: A study from Bangladesh. Asian J Environ Sci . 2021;45(2):35–42. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 20 Jun, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 12 Jun, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 12 Jun, 2025 First submitted to journal 06 Jun, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6839098","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":474314548,"identity":"cf4327ac-7532-4f99-ae29-0dc3e2de5b67","order_by":0,"name":"Riday Paul","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Semyung University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Riday","middleName":"","lastName":"Paul","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-06-06 18:38:21","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839098/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839098/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14695-y","type":"published","date":"2025-10-27T15:57:30+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":85371087,"identity":"6308fde9-3fc9-483e-a0ea-47bcbdb18f92","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-06-25 07:34:53","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":435916,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSound level meter interface on a smartphone used for recording noise at Sreemangal rail crossing (June 2024).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6839098/v1/f85c6512c965fd2faddd200d.png"},{"id":85370680,"identity":"8acc2d46-bb1c-4b7c-8930-248fcec813ac","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-06-25 07:26:53","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":28870,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDetailed noise measurements recorded during a 9:00PM train crossing event at the Sreemangal rail line.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6839098/v1/ec998dc93b2a3b73586842bc.png"},{"id":85370678,"identity":"fd327547-3dea-4b1b-a31b-270bc63d968b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-06-25 07:26:53","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":121131,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDistribution pattern of 12 daily train crossings recorded at Sreemangal rail line.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6839098/v1/2fe95107280c1164a96062df.png"},{"id":95040444,"identity":"8c493c7e-df49-4dc5-8e8d-28ac841de4f6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-03 16:08:45","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":932382,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6839098/v1/12c4afba-cfb0-4cca-b4ab-884b1457252d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Noise Exposure from Rail Line Crossing Alarms and Urban Traffic in Sreemangal, Bangladesh: A Smartphone-Based Case Study","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eNoise pollution is increasingly a public and environmental health concern worldwide, linked with a variety of negative outcomes including hearing loss, sleep disruption, cardiovascular disease, and psychological stress. Although motor and industrial noises in big cities tend to receive the most attention, smaller and medium-sized towns, particularly in developing countries, experience significant exposure, especially where urban planning and infrastructure are underdeveloped. One of the more underappreciated sources of environmental sound is railway crossings. They consist of automated warning alarms and moving vehicles producing repetitive, high-level sound events day and night. Where residential, commercial, and pedestrian zones are located near railway tracks in urban, mixed-use settings, this sound has the potential to create significant disruption. This case study is drawn from a railway crossing in Sreemangal, a town located in northeastern Bangladesh, where trains cross as many as 12 times per day. Every crossing is preceded with the warning sound for several minutes, and this results in prolonged exposure periods exceeding the reference sound levels. The overall objective of this research is to measure the exposures with a smartphone-based sound-level meter and assess the associated health risks for people living and working close to the crossing. By using actual data, the study is expected to contribute to future policy and public health interventions for semiurban settings in South Asia and other parts of the world.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe research site was a railway crossing in the semi-urban town of Sreemangal, in northeastern Bangladesh. Noise levels were measured in front of a small business shop opposite the crossing\u0026mdash;a fairly standard environment with mixed use and relatively moderate pedestrian and vehicular activity. Sound levels were measured with the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app, downloaded onto the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The app has been tested for reproducibility and is Type 2 sound level meter compliant with high-end smart devices. The app recorded for two minutes at about 9:00 PM as a train passed through the crossing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe following acoustic parameters were recorded:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEquivalent Continuous Sound Level (LAeq): 93.1 dB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaximum Sound Level: 97.7 dB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeak Level (LCpeak): 108.3 dB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTime-Weighted Average (TWA): 69.3 dB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eDose (2-minute): 2.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eProjected 8-hour Dose: 646%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown in Fig. 1, the map illustrates the location of the study site within Sreemangal Upazila. (Insert Fig. 1 here)\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe measured sound levels for the 9:00 PM rail crossing incident showed significant exposure. Equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) stood at 93.1 dB, with the peak sound pressure (LCpeak) being 108.3 dB. The calculated 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) dose came to 646%, far above the recommended occupational exposure guidelines.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFig. 2 shows the detailed noise measurements during a 9:00 PM train crossing event. (Insert Fig. 2 here)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eField observations showed that every train sets off the alarm about five minutes prior to arrival. The total sound event\u0026mdash;alarm and train passage\u0026mdash;was about 7\u0026ndash;8 minutes long. Sixty trains move in each direction during the day, and the crossing is subject to as many as 12 high-noise events per day, collectively totaling about 84 to 96 minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distribution pattern of 12 daily train crossings is displayed in Fig. 3. (Insert Fig. 3 here)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifically, several of the crossings are between 2:00 and 6:00 AM when the ambient sound levels are at their lows, potentially worsening slumber disruption for neighboring residents.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe sound levels recorded exceed international standards of environmental and occupational health. Even according to the World Health Organization (2009), exposure at night must not exceed 40 dB LAeq for the sake of preventing sleep disruption. Likewise, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, 1998) stipulates that exposure must be less than 85 dB LAeq for 8 hours in the workplace. Since the measured LAeq of 93.1 dB and the estimated 8-hour dose of 646% represent noise levels to which residents and employees near the rail crossing are consistently exposed, the situation is worsening with nighttime and early-morning rail operations, potentially disrupting sleep, and causing stress and fatigue as well as long-term health setbacks. The cumulative impact of the noise\u0026mdash;because of its frequency and length\u0026mdash;merits serious public health attention. Interventions could involve the adjustment of alarm systems, the provision of noise barriers, or urban planning improvements that establish buffer zones between rail infrastructure and residential space.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis case study focuses attention on the high environmental exposure to noise faced by people living close to a rail crossing in Sreemangal, Bangladesh. With 12 alarms per day, with each lasting 7\u0026ndash;8 minutes and with sound levels above 93 dB, people living in the area are subjected to recurrent exposure far above the international limits for safety. The results highlight the critical necessity for extensive noise monitoring, policy-making, and neighborhood-scale mitigation to safeguard the health of the public, especially semi-urban communities that tend to be neglected in environmental policy.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6. Limitations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study has the following limitations: \u0026bull; Short measurement time: Noise levels were recorded for only two minutes at about 9:00 PM. Measurements in the morning and midday periods as well as the evening hours are needed to give more insight into the overall noise profile. \u0026bull; Single site: The recording was conducted in a single site close to the crossing. More sites would be beneficial for determining spatial variation in exposure to noise. \u0026bull; Smartphone-based measurement: Although the NIOSH SLM app is accurate for verification purposes, the app is not a substitute for Type 1 calibrated sound level meters normally employed in formal assessments. Further studies should incorporate longer durations of monitoring, multiple sampling locations, and seasonal differences in order to achieve a more comprehensive picture of environmental noise exposure in small towns.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"7. Recommendations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe following are suggested as mitigating the above-mentioned risks:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction of quieter alarm systems or adaptive warning signals that lower the night-time noise while preserving safety.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstruction of sound-insulating walls and noise barriers in heavily congested rail crossing locations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eImplement urban zoning regulations to expand the distance between railway infrastructure and residential/commercial structures.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommunity education programs that inform the public about the health impact of exposure to noise and the methods of coping.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablishment of local policies for the monitoring of noises, particularly for semi-urban towns not included in national environmental health policies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFunding:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo funding was received for this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Contributions Statement:R.P. (Riday Paul) is the sole author of this manuscript and was responsible for the conception, design, data collection, analysis, and writing of the entire manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgments:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author acknowledges the support from local residents during data collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompeting interests: \u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author declares no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasner M, Babisch W, Davis A, Brink M, Clark C, Janssen S, et al. Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health. \u003cem\u003eLancet\u003c/em\u003e. 2014;383(9925):1325\u0026ndash;33. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKumar R, Jain R. Assessment of noise pollution due to rail traffic in Indian metropolitan areas. \u003cem\u003eJ Environ Res Dev\u003c/em\u003e. 2018;12(4):1\u0026ndash;10. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeitzel R, Gershon RRM, Zeltser M, Canton A, Akram M. Noise levels associated with urban land use. \u003cem\u003eJ Urban Health\u003c/em\u003e. 2009;86(3):551\u0026ndash;61. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Criteria for a recommended standard: Occupational noise exposure. Revised Criteria 1998. Cincinnati: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 1998. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/ \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Health Organization. Night noise guidelines for Europe. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2009. Available from: https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43316/E92845.pdf \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRahman T, Alam S. Noise exposure in semi-urban communities: A study from Bangladesh. \u003cem\u003eAsian J Environ Sci\u003c/em\u003e. 2021;45(2):35\u0026ndash;42. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"environmental-monitoring-and-assessment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"emas","sideBox":"Learn more about [Environmental Monitoring and Assessment](http://link.springer.com/journal/10661)","snPcode":"10661","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10661/3","title":"Environmental Monitoring and Assessment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Noise pollution, rail crossing, urban noise, Bangladesh, NIOSH SLM, environmental health, night-time noise","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839098/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839098/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental noises from rail crossing are an under-appreciated public health issue, especially in rural towns in developing nations. This case study examines exposure to noises at a railway line crossing in Sreemangal, Bangladesh, with the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app for iPhone 14 Pro Max. From a two-minute sample recorded at 9:00 PM, the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) recorded was 93.1 dB and the maximum sound pressure of 108.3 dB. The field observations indicated that every train causes a warning alert about five minutes prior to arrival, followed by 7–8 minutes of intense exposure per occurrence. With as many as 12 occurrences per day, overall exposure is 84–96 minutes of too much noise. Importantly, some rail crossings happen from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM, and concern is raised for exposure and long-time health impact. The study emphasizes the immediate requirement for systematic screening and mitigation measures in South Asia's semi-urban areas.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Noise Exposure from Rail Line Crossing Alarms and Urban Traffic in Sreemangal, Bangladesh: A Smartphone-Based Case Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-06-25 07:26:48","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839098/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-06-21T01:16:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-06-12T22:49:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-06-12T22:49:43+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Environmental Monitoring and Assessment","date":"2025-06-06T18:36:11+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"environmental-monitoring-and-assessment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"emas","sideBox":"Learn more about [Environmental Monitoring and Assessment](http://link.springer.com/journal/10661)","snPcode":"10661","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10661/3","title":"Environmental Monitoring and Assessment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"3bd4ee95-9783-4264-a4a8-aebec03d3f2f","owner":[],"postedDate":"June 25th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-03T16:04:14+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6839098","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14695-y","journal":{"identity":"environmental-monitoring-and-assessment","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Environmental Monitoring and Assessment"},"publishedOn":"2025-10-27 15:57:30","publishedOnDateReadable":"October 27th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-06-25 07:26:48","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s10661-025-14695-y","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14695-y","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6839098","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6839098","identity":"rs-6839098","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}