Variations in restaurant soundscapes

Abstract

The sound levels and concurrent occupancy at a number of restaurants located in Omaha, Nebraska, have been logged during occupied hours. Information on each restaurant’s room shape, materials, seating layout, and ambient noise sources have also been gathered. The time-logged data are analyzed to understand the acoustic environment better, particularly by looking at statistical levels (for example, L10 and L90) and the percent of time that sound levels exceed certain values. Comparisons of the logged sound level data against Rindel’s predictive equation for restaurant noise levels which includes occupancy and group size (2019) show good correlation. How different sources of ambient noise and their levels in the restaurant may impact the resulting soundscape is additionally highlighted.The sound levels and concurrent occupancy at a number of restaurants located in Omaha, Nebraska, have been logged during occupied hours. Information on each restaurant’s room shape, materials, seating layout, and ambient noise sources have also been gathered. The time-logged data are analyzed to understand the acoustic environment better, particularly by looking at statistical levels (for example, L10 and L90) and the percent of time that sound levels exceed certain values. Comparisons of the logged sound level data against Rindel’s predictive equation for restaurant noise levels which includes occupancy and group size (2019) show good correlation. How different sources of ambient noise and their levels in the restaurant may impact the resulting soundscape is additionally highlighted.