An Approach to a Virtual Reality Representation of the Copacabana Soundscape

In a collaboration between RWTH Aachen and UFRJ, the iconic environment of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro was investigated in an area of 240 m x 450 m along the Avenida Atlantica. The extensive measurement campaign delivered audio and video recordings and photographic data acquisition. With the help of photogrammetry, a textured mesh as well as a simplified model for acoustic simulation were created. The model now serves as a basis for a virtual environment for soundscape research in Virtual Reality. The challenges in this context are vehicle type and trajectory identification, determination of surface material properties for the surfaces in this built environment, and implementation in an auralization with a high number of sources. The tools involved and the workflow of creating this large-scale auralization are described, and first results are presented and discussed.