Compatibility of data collection protocol in ISO 12913-2 for urban soundscape assessment

Abstract

This study investigates the compatibility of soundscape evaluation results based on the data-collection protocols proposed in ISO 12913-2—Method A, Method B, and Method C—and proposes protocol usage guidelines for evaluating urban soundscapes. We assessed soundscapes of 10 multi-functional sites in an urban environment through the responses of 50 participants (laboratory) and 10 participants (soundwalk) to questions on sound source identification, perceived affective quality, and overall quality. The responses pertaining to sound source identification were similar. Regarding perceived affective quality, the pleasantness-eventfulness model derived from Method A was also found in the text-mining results of Methods B and C, and additional emotional responses, such as spatial impression and restoration were discovered. Regarding overall quality, the preference for each assessment site was similar. Method C, which entailed social network analysis, revealed the influence of nonacoustical factors on soundscape perception. It is expected that this study’s findings can be used as baseline data for selecting a methodology to assess urban soundscapes as well as for informing urban planning.