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In an effort to reduce urban noise pollution, the city of Oakhaven replaced all of its traditional diesel buses with electric buses. Electric buses produce significantly less engine noise than diesel buses. However, electric buses are heavier and cause more tire-to-road friction noise at speeds above 40 km/h than diesel buses do. Most of the bus routes in Oakhaven's residential neighborhoods have speed limits of 30 km/h and are designed with frequent stops, preventing buses from exceeding these limits. Conversely, the bus routes connecting Oakhaven's commercial districts to the suburbs often require buses to travel at speeds up to 60 km/h for extended stretches.

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?

  1. The replacement of diesel buses with electric buses likely resulted in a greater reduction in bus-related noise in Oakhaven's residential neighborhoods than on the routes connecting commercial districts to the suburbs.Answer
  2. B
    The overall level of urban noise pollution in Oakhaven has decreased since the city replaced its traditional diesel buses with electric buses.
  3. C
    None of the electric buses operating in Oakhaven's residential neighborhoods ever generate tire-to-road friction noise.
  4. D
    The speed limits in Oakhaven's residential neighborhoods were established at 30 km/h primarily to offset the increased tire-to-road friction noise caused by heavier vehicles.
  5. E
    At speeds below 40 km/h, traditional diesel buses produce more tire-to-road friction noise than electric buses do.

Answer

The statement regarding the greater reduction in bus-related noise in residential neighborhoods compared to suburban routes is the most strongly supported.
The correct answer accurately synthesizes the provided facts. Because residential routes prevent buses from exceeding 30 km/h, electric buses there do not trigger the increased friction noise that occurs above 40 km/h, meaning these areas experience the full benefit of reduced engine noise. In contrast, suburban routes require speeds up to 60 km/h, where the electric buses' increased friction noise will offset some or all of the reduced engine noise. Therefore, it is highly supported that the residential areas experienced a greater net reduction in bus-related noise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the noise profiles of the two bus types based on the text.
Electric buses have less engine noise than diesel buses, but they have more friction noise when traveling faster than 40 km/h.
Understanding the precise conditions under which each bus type is noisier is necessary to draw valid conclusions.
2
Analyze the conditions of the different routes.
Residential routes keep buses under 40 km/h (speed limit 30 km/h). Suburban routes require buses to travel up to 60 km/h.
The different routes trigger different aspects of the buses' noise profiles.
3
Synthesize the noise profiles with the route conditions.
In residential areas, electric buses are quieter (less engine noise, no excess friction noise). In suburban areas, they produce excess friction noise, mitigating the benefit of less engine noise.
This synthesis directly proves that the net reduction in noise is greater in residential areas.

Key Concept

Synthesizing conditional facts to derive a comparative conclusion
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