Noise mapping with psychoacoustic analysis of sound propagation

Since 1970, soundscapes have been described using psychoacoustic, psychological, sociological data and surveys Psychoacoustics describes human perception of sound via hearing and has been an established approach to assessing product noise for years. Standardized procedures and methods have been available in DIN ISO 12913 since 2014. In part 3 of this standard, psychoacoustic mapping has been explicitly recommended since 2021 to support a representation of actual noise pollution in established noise maps. Currently, there is no software available to create psychoacoustic maps. To assess environmental noise, sound pressure or sound pressure levels measured in decibels (dB) have been used so far. However, it has been proven that sound pressure levels only indicate actual perceived noise pollution to a very limited extent. A non-critical sound pressure level does not necessarily mean that there is no considerable noise pollution. This problem can be addressed by a psychoacoustic view of sound and its propagation. An objective and perceptual evaluation of sound succeeds with psychoacoustic quantities, such as loudness, sharpness, and tonality. A software implementation and the application of psychoacoustic analyses for sound prediction e. g. in maps is the goal of the project presented here. For this purpose, necessary basics of psychoacoustic analyses and the application potential are discussed. Finally, a methodical procedure to create psychoacoustic maps is presented. An application case shows a calculation of a psychoacoustic mapping using measurements of a heat pump as a sound source. The presented and already implemented psychoacoustic mapping for sound prediction serves as a basis for further research and development scopes. Future directions include the implementation of further psychoacoustic analyses, auralization of site-specific sound and the development of holistic annoyance indices from combined, psychoacoustic variables as well as further factors are aimed at.