Modelling road traffic noise annoyance by listening tests

Noise annoyance studies evaluate people's responses to noise exposure, questioning how much they are annoyed by a certain type of environmental noise. In accordance with Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) by the EU Parliament and Council, noise annoyance dose-effect relations are determined by noise maps and questionnaires with respondents living in a certain area. The aim of this study is to build a noise annoyance model using listening tests, by examining factors which effect road traffic noise annoyance levels. In this study, listening tests are prepared using sound clips of traffic noises which are listened to in laboratory conditions. Road traffic noises are recorded for each vehicle type, taking into account possible vehicle speeds, traffic flow types, road slopes and road surfaces. Sound clips are formed according to road types and filtered to simulate sound propagation in various city conditions. Sound clips are then filtered with façade sound insulation values to simulate the sounds heard inside houses. Respondents are asked how much they are annoyed when they listen to the sound clips with headphones and imagine they are resting inside their houses. The results are analyzed and responses are investigated to form a road traffic noise annoyance model. This model provides the opportunity to transform raw data (traffic, road and settlement) directly into annoyance. The information on the effects of traffic elements, road properties and settlement types on noise annoyance can easily be used for planning new areas or noise action plans. OA