RESUMO
The purpose of this research was to determine the traffic noise level and changes in the Kerman City, southeast Iran in recent years. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008 to investigate the existing noise situation in Kerman. Sound levels [L[max], L[min], L[eq], L[99], L[90], L[50] and L[10] were determined throughout 13 stations using sound level measurement system [model, CEL-440]. Number of passing vehicles was also assessed at the sampled stations. Sound level in all sampled stations was higher than Iran and World Health Organization guidelines. Comparison of L[eq] in different hours using statistical tests showed significant difference between different hours with 95% confidence coefficient [P=0.01]. Comparison of L[eq] throughout the week also showed that there was a significant difference [P=0.001] between Friday and workday. The comparison of L[eq] with the number of passing vehicles using Pearson correlation statistical test showed significant difference between the number of heavy vehicles passed and the level of L[eq] [P=0.001]. It also showed that number of heavy vehicles caused the most noise levels. The results of this study compared to a similar study conducted in 1999 showed an increasingly high noise level. Noise level increased from 1999 to 2008 by 3.89% which is indicative of an increase in noise emission sources