Abstract
This paper reports findings from a study that explored the relationships between the quality of life and road traffic noise in Kunming city, Yunnan Province of China. There were three main objectives: to explore residents' views of quality of life in Kunming city; to identify the perceived impacts of road traffic noise on local residents; and to identify the monetary cost of noise. The results indicate that of seventeen quality of life indicators explored road traffic noise is the greatest source of dissatisfaction. Findings from stated preference experiments suggest that respondents are willing to pay to reduce noise levels and that a quiet environment may be valued more highly than cleaner air, reduced accident rates or improved orderliness.