Showing papers on "Annoyance published in 1974"

The effects of airplane noise on health; An examination of three hypotheses.

Abstract: DAVID B. GRAEVEN California State University, Hayward This study, based on a sample of 552 persons at five levels of exposure to airplane noise, examined the effects of exposure, awareness, and annoyance reactions to airplane noise, and cognitions about airplane noise on health problems. Awareness and annoyance reactions to noise had the strongest relationship with health problems. Those persons who were more aware of the noise were more likely to have health problems than those persons who were not aware. Level of exposure to airplane noise was not related to health problems at the zero-order level and, although there were some significant relationships, cognitions about noise were not consistently related to the number of health problems. The results showed that a social psychological approach contributed to an understanding of the effects of airplane noise on health problems.

Pollution and mental health, with particular reference to the problem in noise.

Abstract: Though the adverse psychological effects of noise as an environmental pollutant are well-recognised, much of the relevant work has been focussed on the ambiguous concept of ‘annoyance’. A review of the evidence suggests that the relationship between noise and mental ill-health calls for more direct investigation. In particular, the marked individual variation in reactions to noise requires elucidation.

Community acceptance of helicopter noise: Criteria and application

Abstract: A study was conducted to define those criteria necessary for civil helicopter operations to be acoustically acceptable to the communities from which they operate and over which they fly. The study involved surveying existing domestic and foreign Federal regulations and guidelines, state and local noise ordinances, results of community noise annoyance studies, and results of individual aircraft noise annoyance studies, and results of individual aircraft noise annoyance studies in order to establish the criteria. The final criteria selection are based on the Day-Night Level, L sub DN, a measure of total noise exposure. The basic rating unit is the A weighted sound pressure level (dbA) which has accuracy comparable to other units currently used for aircraft. An L sub DN of 60 is recommended as a criterion for areas where the ambient noise is below 58 dbA. An L sub DN value 2 dbA above the local ambient is recommended for areas where the ambient is above 58 dbA.

Traffic noise and annoyance in a laboratory condition

Abstract: Nine different traffic situations were recorded on tapes and acoustically analyzed. Subsequently 93 subjects were exposed to each recorded traffic noise situation, and the subjects had to rate their feeling of annoyance.

A study of the effect of flight density and background noise on V/STOL acceptability

Abstract: A study was conducted in which test subjects evaluated the sounds of a helicopter, a turbofan STOL and a turbojet airplane while engaged in work and leisure activities. Exposure to a high repetitive density of the aircraft sounds did not make the individual sounds more annoying but did create an unacceptable environment. The application of a time duration term to db(A) resulted in a measure which compared favorably with EPNL as a predictor of annoyance. Temporal variations in background noise level had no significant effect on the rated annoyance.

Maximum noise abatement trajectories.

Abstract: Minimum noise annoyance trajectories for developing STOL operation procedures are obtained by modulating five control variables in two dimensions. The performance index is formulated such that it explicitly assigns the same relative importance to thrust as it does to distances between discrete listeners and the aircraft. However, using a steepest descent optimization program, results indicate that it is preferable to keep the thrusters at their maximum value to minimize the integrated annoyance rather than to reduce thrust which would lower the instantaneous annoyance. Thrust decreases below its bound only when the instantaneous noise at a listener is limited.

The cost of noise reduction in commercial tilt rotor aircraft

Abstract: The relationship between direct operating cost (DOC) and departure noise annoyance was developed for commercial tilt rotor aircraft. This was accomplished by generating a series of tilt rotor aircraft designs to meet various noise goals at minimum DOC. These vehicles were spaced across the spectrum of possible noise levels from completely unconstrained to the quietest vehicle that could be designed within the study ground rules. A group of optimization parameters were varied to find the minimum DOC while other inputs were held constant and some external constraints were met. This basic variation was then extended to different aircraft sizes and technology time frames. It was concluded that reducing noise annoyance by designing for lower rotor tip speeds is a very promising avenue for future research and development. It appears that the cost of halving the annoyance compared to an unconstrained design is insignificant and the cost of halving the annoyance again is small.

Annoyance and acceptability judgements of noise produced by three types of aircraft by residents living near JFK Airport

Abstract: A random sample of selected communities near JFK Airport were interviewed. Subsamples, with differing feelings of fear of aircraft crashes and different locations of residence were invited to participate in a laboratory experiment. The subjects were exposed to tape recordings of simulated flyovers of aircraft in approach and departure operations at nominal distances from the airport. The subjects judged the extent of noise annoyance and acceptability of the aircraft noises. Results indicate that level of noise is most significant in affecting annoyance judgements. Subjects with feelings of high fear report significantly more annoyance and less acceptability of aircraft noise than subjects with feelings of low fear.

Psychological effects of exposure to high industrial noise: a field study

Abstract: A comparative investigation was carried out on two samples of industrial workers. One group (60 persons) working in noise (85–106 dB) and a control group (40 persons) working in relative quiet (under 82 dB). Noise annoyance and neuroticism were assessed by means of questionnaires, and performance level by two psychological tests, the Stroop test, and a test of concentration of attention. Comparisons between the two samples were performed as a function of age and of time worked in noise. It was found that neuroticism rises primarily as a function of time worked in noise and secondarily as a function of age. There is a critical age or time interval after which neuroticism develops quickly. It was also found that, as compared to the control group, the noise group (1) manifests greater annoyance, but only after two years on the job; (2) displays a higher ability to focus attention; but (3) makes more errors on the Stroop psychological performance test and fers a higher degree of interference with performance.

Experimental evaluation of a freeway noise barrier i-35w at minnehaha creek, minneapolis, minnesota

Abstract: The effectiveness of a 1900 foot, 20 foot high timber noise barrier along both sides of an urban freeway (100,000 AADT, 6% trucks) was evaluated on the basis of sound level measurements and residential annoyance survey before and after it was built. Noise reductions of up to 12 dbA (L10) were observed behind the barrier. However, the average noise reduction at the front row of homes was about 7 dbA (L10). In terms of annoyance, the barrier performed the equivalent of moving front row homes back one block. In contrast, pavement resurfacing prior to barrier construction had little effect on annoyance ratings. Changes in annoyance correlated well with changes in L10 and Leq but not so well with L50 or NPL. Data on differences in annoyance at various times of the day are presented.