The influence of a signal’s time structure on the perceived noise annoyance of road traffic noise

Abstract

Purpose Road traffic noise is the most common source of noise in modern cities. The noise indicators used to manage noise do not take into account its temporal structure. However, in cities the traffic flow varies during the day, peaking due to congestion and more fluent periods. In this research we sought to analyze how people (giving answers on a numerical ICBEN scale) perceive noise stimuli with the same LAeqT values but different time structures (more/less noise events, different amplitude envelopes). Methods 31 people with normal hearing took part in an experiment conducted in an anechoic chamber. Participants listened to 18 different noise recordings and rated each of them using the numerical ICBEN scale regarding noise annoyance. Results The results showed that only sound level was a statistically significant factor. However, based on people’s remarks about noise, we can also say that the more intermittent the noise is, the more negative feelings it evokes in people. Conclusions Time structure does not have a significant influence on people’s judgments about noise annoyance. However, people tend to have a preference for a steady noise rather than an intermittent one.

Road, tram and aircraft traffic noise annoyance related to the number of noise events and the equivalent sound level

“…The problem of the number of noise events, expressed in IR, was also investigated by the author of this article in the preliminary study, limited only to three different sound level values and road traffic solely. The results showed that IR was not a statistically significant factor for the annoyance ratings (Felcyn, 2021). However, this problem needed further research, especially regarding also other types of noise sources.…”