The evaluation of urban soundscape with combined noise sources and the effect of water sounds

Abstract

The urban soundscapes with combined noise sources were evaluated using a field survey and laboratory experiments. Sixteen field surveys were conducted by soundwalking, evaluating the annoyance of combined noise sources in urban spaces. Qualitative analysis was also conducted using semantic scales for evaluating the quality of the soundscape. In addition, an auditory experiment was conducted in order to quantify the total annoyance caused by road traffic and construction noises; when the Leq of the road traffic noise was 55 or 75 dBA. The relationships of noise level differences between the water sounds and the urban noises were confirmed in both the cases of single and combined noises in urban public spaces. The effect of water sounds on masking urban noises was then examined in order to improve the subjective quality of urban soundscape.