Illustration demonstrating the effect of temperature inversion on traffic noise distribution. The top of the image shows a gradient from warm to cool colors indicating warm air above cool air. Dotted lines depict the bending path of traffic noise, which intensifies towards houses on either side of a central road due to the inversion conditions.

The visual representation highlights the phenomenon of temperature inversion, where warmer air is found above cooler air, and its impact on traffic noise propagation. A central roadway with vehicles is marked as ‘TRAFFIC ON ROAD', from which ‘TRAFFIC NOISE' is emitted. Instead of dissipating upwards, the noise, represented by dotted arcs, is refracted towards the ground because of the inversion layer. Two sets of houses positioned on either side of the road experience intensified noise levels during these inversion conditions. This illustration underscores the importance of understanding meteorological effects when evaluating noise pollution in residential communities.