Examining How Transportation Noise Impacts Mental Health in the GTA

Previous literature has studied the relationship between noise and perceived stress in residential areas, but little is known about the impact of transportation noise exposure during travel on individuals’ temporal stress levels. This study employs an Ordinal Logistic Regression model to assess whether a correlation relationship exists among 131 participants in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Results suggest that while transportation noise is not a dominant factor in causing temporal stress, noise sensitivity presents a significantly strong positive relationship with individual stress levels. Hence, transportation noise should remain as an important environmental stressor that could contribute to noise-related annoyance. Findings highlight the importance of integrating noise sensitivity into policymaking to develop targeted mitigation strategies, particularly considering socioeconomic and demographic factors. Given the unique metropolitan urban development landscape of the GTA, future urban planning and transportation policies should prioritize noise management measures that address population-specific well-being and recognize commuters as key stakeholders in the city. Integrating their experiences can promote a more equitable urban environment where the right to a livable city is supported.