Low amplitude sonic boom noise exposure and social survey design

Abstract

The Waveform and Sonicboom Perception and Response (WSPR) Program conducted a field study relating subjective response to noise from multiple low-amplitude sonic booms. The team was led by Wyle and included researchers from Penn State, Tetra Tech, and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. The test exposed residents in the Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) Housing area to two weeks of low-amplitude sonic booms while recording their responses via surveys. The noise exposure design balanced DNL across test days, the number of low, medium, and high booms, and the separation of booms between AM and PM flight sequences. Survey instruments consisted of a Baseline survey, a Single Event survey, and a Daily Summary survey. The WSPR low boom survey included a question on strength of annoyance, followed by questions on the strength of perception of five additional variables that contribute to the annoyance response. Three modes of administration were utilized for both the single event and daily summary surveys: paper/pen, web-based, and Mobile (Apple) device. The survey followed recommendations published by The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN). The data from the low boom field test provide a measure of the acceptance of low booms in an acclimated community.