Alexandra Ulery
Research Mentor(s): Xin Zhang
Mentor Department: Environmental Health Sciences
Authors:
Session: Session 6 (3:00pm – 3:50pm)
Presentation Type: Oral
Abstract
The construction of I-375 in Detroit in the 1960s led to the displacement of Black communities and remains a symbol of infrastructure-driven racial and economic inequities. Today, the planned redesign of I-375 into a boulevard presents an opportunity to address past injustices, but concerns remain regarding its potential environmental and social impacts, particularly noise pollution. This study assesses how weather conditions affect stationary and mobile noise measurements to ensure methodological reliability before reevaluating the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) noise assessment. Our findings indicate that MDOT’s original measurements, taken at limited times and locations, may underestimate noise exposure. By incorporating multiple time points and a novel mobile monitoring approach, we aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of noise pollution. The study’s findings have broad implications for environmental justice, urban planning, and public health by advocating for accurate noise assessments and equitable infrastructure policies.
