Estimation of annual sound pressure levels based on mobile measurements

Abstract

In order to compute the population exposure to environmental noise and to design and apply convenient action plans to reduce it, European Directive 2002/49/EC defines an environmental noise map as a picture of noise levels for different sources and time intervals. According to the Directive, since 2019 it is mandatory to compute noise maps by simulation, using the model CNOSSOS-EU. However, with the fast development of large sensor networks, in a near future, it can become cheaper and more convenient to compute noise maps by taking direct measurements. European Directive 2002/49/EC requires that noise maps plot the annual values of sound pressure level. Previous studies have shown that it is possible to estimate the annual sound pressure levels with good accuracy using a sample of only 7-10 days. The present contribution explores the possibility of estimating the annual sound pressure levels with random samples of a few seconds or minutes taken on separate random days. This kind of temporal sampling is possible by using mobile sensors moving throughout a city.