EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOUND WITH THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT: A STRATEGIC INQUIRY ON THE IMPACTS OF AND DESIGN AND PLANNING RESPONSES TO SOUND IN TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS (TODs)

Abstract

Over the last decades, Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) have stimulated heated debates. Researchers have fully explored the TODs' quality-of-life characteristics; however, sound/noise impacts are under-explored in the field. This dissertation explores the planning and design implications of sounds in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area TODs. TODs include potentials to cover a broad range of sounds that improve the quality-of-life (QoL). Since sound studies should not only rely on in-situ sound measurements and it should also examine the subjective aspects of the sound as the dissertation examines the perception of the individuals on sounds in TODs, the project required a certain number of participants for the validity concerns of the research efforts. To address these concerns, The author used a mixed-methods approach, where the qualitative aspect of the research focused on surveying with the TOD residents as they are the main "actors" in TODs. After defining the TOD stations, since not all train stations can be considered a TOD, the research also conducted a survey to get individuals' preferences on TODs in terms of sound implications. The findings of this research provide insights into how diverse sounds can create patterns and may affect people’s QoL based on their perception of sounds. The dissertation also aims to understand the relationship between urban morphology and sound is an important undertaking for managing the adverse implications of noise. So, the dissertation also seeks to understand this nexus between urban morphological characteristics -namely buildings, plots, and streets in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex- and sounds. While previous studies have examined TODs' amenities and disamenities, they have not investigated the intersection of sound and urban morphology within TODs. This dissertation probes the concept that sound heard within buildings is impacted affected by the plots and streets segments on which they are located. Finally, the dissertation also concentrates on the train station-level of analysis to understand the effects of TODs on sound implications. So, the dissertation aims to examine sound levels and determine its contributors at the transit-oriented development (TOD) station and neighborhood levels by studying selected Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) stations. Various analyses were performed to model the likelihood of TOD stations and neighborhoods affecting sound levels, controlling for station amenities, socio-demographics, and built environment characteristics. The dissertation found that amenities, built environmental characteristics, and neighborhood features have significant implications on sound levels at both the TOD station and the neighborhood level, which affects the quality of life (QoL). TOD stations that include more amenities have a greater level of significance on sound levels. Additionally, neighborhoods with a pervasive street grid configuration, public facilities, and built environment densities are significantly associated with a likelihood of high sound levels. Conversely, higher population densities and intersection densities decrease the likelihood of a high sound level environment. These patterns provide an arena for transportation, urban, and environmental planning and policymaking to generate transformative solutions and policies.