Open Access. © 2021 R. B. Ranpise et al., published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License Noise Mapp. 2021; 8:172ś184 Research Article Ramesh B. Ranpise*, B. N. Tandel, and Vivek A. Singh Development of trafc noise prediction model for major arterial roads of tier-II city of India (Surat) using artifcial neural network https://doi.org/10.1515/noise-2021-0013 Received Aug 13, 2020; accepted Mar 16, 2021 Abstract: In the issue of expanding noise levels the world over, road trafc noise is main contributor. The investiga- tion of street trafc noise in urban communities is a sig- nifcant issue. Ample opportunity has already passed to understand the signifcance of noise appraisal through pre- diction models with the goal that assurance against street trafc noise can be actualized. Noise predictions models are utilized in an increasing range of decision-making applica- tions. This study’s main objective is to assess ambient noise levels at major arterial roads of Surat city, compare these with prescribed standards, and develop a noise prediction model for arterial roads using an Artifcial Neural Network. The feed-forward back propagation method has been used to train the model. Models have been developed using the data of three roads separately, and one fnal model has also been developed using the data of all three roads. Among the prediction in three arterial roads, the predicted output result from the model of Adajan-Rander showed a better correlation with a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.789 and R 2 value of 0.707. But with the combined model, there is a slight deterioration in mean squared value (MSE) 1.550, with R 2 not getting changed much signifcantly, i.e., 0.755. However, the combined model’s prediction can be adopted due to the variety of data used in its training. Keywords: prediction model, arterial roads, road trafc noise, ANN *Corresponding Author: Ramesh B. Ranpise: Civil Engineering Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat-395007 Gujarat, India; Email: ranpiseramesh6588@gmail.com B. N. Tandel, Vivek A. Singh: Civil Engineering Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat- 395007 Gujarat, India 1 Introduction Noise arises from manmade activities, especially the expan- sion and improvement of transport and industry [1]. Road transport is an essential contributor to the economic devel- opment and growth of a country [2]. Road network plays a signifcant role in the development of a nation. But on the other hand, it creates a noisy environment and afects humans and the surrounding environment [3]. Road trafc noise is a combination of sounds from tire-pavement inter- action, engine noise, aerodynamic and braking element, road surface, horn honking, tire rolling noise, acceleration, deceleration, etc. [4ś7]. Noise is getting more and more omnipresent, yet a disregarded shape of infection even in advanced international locations. Road trafc noise is the most comprehensive source of ambient outdoor noise pollution in Europe [8ś10]. Arterial roads in a city play several roles within the suburb and are a fundamental element of the transportation network that carries a wide range of private and public vehicles [11]. Generally, road trafc, heavy vehicles, machinery, jet planes, building equipment, manufacturing processes, and lawnmowers are signifcant sources of these unwanted sounds regularly sent into the ambient environment [12]. Though noise pollution is a slow and indistinct killer, very less efort has been made to ameliorate. Along with other pollution types, it has become a hazard to life qual- ity [13, 14]. Trafc noise signifcantly afects physical as well as mental health and labor productivity, and it is a signifcant source of noise in an urban environment [15]. The noise produced from the interaction of vehicular tires and the road surface is a main contributor to the total trafc noise [5, 16ś18]. Noise may cause disturbance, disrupt sleep, hyperten- sion, and hinder cognitive development in children [1, 14, 19, 20]. The efects of extreme noise could be so severe that there is a permanent loss of memory or a psychiatric disor- der [21]. Hence, there are many adverse efects [9] of exces- sive noise or acute exposure to noise.