Showing papers on "Annoyance published in 1986"

Dose-response relationships for traffic noise and annoyance.

Abstract: The annoyance due to road traffic noise was studied in 18 areas in five countries. A total of 1379 interviews was performed and noise measurements were made in each area. The relation between Leq and the extent of the population expressing that they were "very annoyed" was poor (rxy = 0.03). An augmentation of the number of heavy vehicles from 1000/24 hr up to greater than 3000/24 hr did not increase the extent of annoyance. The highest correlation was obtained for the maximum noise level. The dose-response relationship implies that the number of events above a certain limit will not increase the extent of annoyance: it is determined by the highest noise level from single vehicles. It is suggested that this model for the human reaction to environmental noise, which has now been demonstrated for aircraft, train, and traffic noise, should be considered for the establishment of standards.

Noise prediction and prevention

Abstract: Shipboard noise control is attracting increasing attention from the shipping industry. This is due to the introduction of national and international rules and recommendations concerning noise, but also a growing interest in reducing annoyance and discomfort to the crew and passengers.

Advanced turboprop aircraft noise annoyance - A review of recent NASA research

Abstract: Passenger and community response to advanced turboprop aircraft noise are studied. Four experiments were conducted utilizing an aircraft noise synthesis system, an exterior effects room, an anechoic listening room, and a Space Station/aircraft acoustic apparatus; the experimental conditions and procedures for the psychoacoustic studies are described. The community noise studies involved evaluating the effects of various tonal characteristics on annoyance. It was observed that the frequency envelope shape did not effect annoyance; however, the interaction of the fundamental frequency with tone-to-broadband noise ratio did have a large effect on annoyance. The effects of low frequency tones, turbulent boundary layer noise, and tonal beats on passenger annoyance are investigated. The data reveal that passenger annoyance is greater for a given level of boundary layer noise when tones are at levels sufficient to increase the overall sound pressure level within the cabin. The annoyance response of an advanced turboprop and a conventional aircraft are compared. It is determined that the flyover noise level for the turboprop aircraft is not more annoying than that of a conventional aircraft.

Odour Concentration and Odour Annoyance

Abstract: As part of a study to test the use of population panels as a method for assessing odour annoyance in a direct way, a comparison of the odour annoyance experienced by such population panels and the odour immission concentrations expressed in odour units/m3 of air samples taken simultaneously, was made. It was found that in a city where odour annoyance occurs regularly, no relationship could be found between the amount of odour annoyance experienced and the immission concentrations. Furthermore, it was shown that the odour concentrations of pleasant smells (meadows forest) in an unpolluted area may be as high as 24 odour units. It is concluded that the amount of annoyance caused by odours can not be deduced from concentration measurements, but should be assessed in a direct way. Population panels provide a good means of obtaining such data. They are reliable and can give indications about the important sources of annoying odours in complex industrial areas.

Community response to noise in Australia: results of the 1986 national noise survey

Abstract: A social survey was carried out in February 1986 to assess the extent of community noise disturbance in Australia. A total of 2,332 people were interviewed in all federal electoral divisions. The results indicate that noise is the most serious form of environmental pollution experienced by residents. The rank order of neighbourhood problems which respondents were either concerned about or affected by is: 1) noise disturbance; 2) unpleasant odours, smoke or dust; 3) poor tasting water; and 4) spilled garbage or litter. The survey also assessed the relative disturbance caused by various types of noise pollution using a number of different indicators of reaction. The noises which have the greatest impact on residential communities were found to be traffic and barking dogs. Twenty per cent of Australian residents experience at least moderate annoyance because of each of these two noise sources. Overall, 40 per cent of Australians experience disturbance to listening activities or to sleep because of some form of noise pollution. The most commonly reported causes of annoyance from individual motor vehicles in all states are hotted up cars and motorbikes. The survey confirmed that complaint data is a poor indicator of the community impact of noise. Also, reaction to noise was found to decrease with age but to increase with education level. The present survey provides a baseline for future monitoring of the effectiveness of national noise control strategies in Australia (a).

Effects of simulated helicopter cabin noise on intelligibility and annoyance

Abstract: Helicopter cabin noise was simulated by combining a broadband signal (pink noise, or PN) with a triad of pure tones (PT) at 650,1900, and 5000 Hz. Each component was presented at four loudness levels (0,60,70, and 80 dB[A]), with all 16 combinations arranged in two unsystematic orders. Intelligibility was measured by means of sentences to be judged as true or false. A male speaker presented 10 sentences at each noise condition. One group of subjects heard the sentences at 50 dB(A) and another group at 55 dB(A). The annoyance of each noise combination was rated by the same subjects on a 5-point scale. Both sources and their interaction were significantly related to reduced intelligibility and increased annoyance at both speech levels. In general, the PN component was more responsible for loss of intelligibility, and the PT component more responsible for annoyance.