MONITORING OF TRAFFIC FLOW AND NOISE LEVEL IN ALMATY: PRACTICAL RESEARCH OF UNDERGRADUATES

1st-year undergraduates of the educational program "Life Safety and Environmental Protection" of the UNESCO Department of Sustainable Development of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University conducted an experimental study aimed at assessing traffic intensity and street noise levels in Almaty.

The study was organized in October 2026 as part of practical training in the discipline "monitoring of natural and technospheric objects" on the topic "safety assessment of transport and engineering infrastructure systems". Its purpose is to identify changes in traffic flow at different times of the day, consider the possible relationship between the number of vehicles and noise levels, and analyze environmental safety factors related to urban infrastructure.

Two groups participated in the research work. Ilyas Zhansaya, Kusainov Aliaskar, Sharapatdin Nurzhaina and Zhadriyeva Kuanysh worked in the first group, and Dauirbekkyzy Аssel, Kalabai Akbota and Imangali Aybala worked in the second group.

Field observations were carried out at the intersection of Karasai Batyr -Auezov, Karasai batyr - Nurmakov, Tole bi - Isaev, Tole bi - Zhumaliev, Abai -Zharokov, Tole bi - Masanchi, Karasai batyr - Baitursynov, Karasai batyr -Masanchi, Shevchenko - Rozybakiev, Shevchenko - Manas, Zhambyl-Bayzakov and Abai - Bayzakov streets..

The control work included morning, lunch and evening time periods. The students recorded noise readings every 15 minutes and counted the number of cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles. At the same time, the movement of pedestrians and scooters, as well as weather conditions were taken into account.

The noise level was measured on both sides of the road, at a distance of 0.5 meters from the curb and at a height of 1.5 meters above the ground. The collected control materials were used to compare the indicators of traffic flow and noise over time periods.

At the intersection of Karasai Batyr and Masanchi streets, traffic flow and noise levels were monitored during three periods of the day - morning, afternoon and evening. During the morning observation, 2,282 vehicles with an average noise level of 72 dB were registered. During the lunch period, 2,044 vehicles were accounted for, with an average noise level of 68 dB. During the evening observation, 2,742 cars were registered, the average noise level reached 76 dB. During the three periods compared, the highest rates of the number of vehicles and noise levels were observed in the evening.

Along with the intensity of traffic, road noise can be influenced by the type and speed of vehicles, the condition of the road surface, and the weather. During the practical work, the issues of the technical condition of the road surface, traffic lights and traffic control systems, pedestrian safety and the environmental impact associated with traffic were also considered.

The data collected shows the importance of systematic monitoring of traffic flow and noise levels, as well as substantiating proposals for improving urban infrastructure. The research area is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, with the objectives: Goal 9 - "industrialization, innovation and infrastructure" and Goal 11 - "Sustainable cities and towns".

Practical work organized at the UNESCO Department of Sustainable Development allowed undergraduates to monitor urban transport infrastructure in real conditions, compare the data obtained and identify environmental risk factors. Such studies develop the research skills of future specialists and strengthen professional training in the field of environmental protection and life safety.

Kozhakhan A. K.

Associate Professor of the 

UNESCO Department of Sustainable Development