Environmental Noise Sources Research Articles

Using the reference noise algorithm to suppress pseudo-sinusoidal wave-train noises from seismic data

Seismic reflection data are always contaminated with short- and long-duration environmental and coherent noise. Long-duration coherent noise usually has a pseudo-sinusoidal wave form. Vehicles and power lines are major sources of environmental pseudo-sinusoidal noise. There are several methods for the attenuation of this noise, each with its own advantages and limitations. In this approach, this noise was considered as the reference noise, assuming that the noise is sinusoidal with phase and amplitude varying with time. To obtain the amplitude of the reference noise, an envelope of absolute data is depicted. To calculate its phase, firstly the frequency content of this noise versus time was calculated using a novel time?frequency transform that we named the weighted Fourier transform. Then, by integrating of calculated frequency, the phase was obtained. In the next step, to construct a trace containing noise, a filter was designed and convolved with reference noise. Then by subtraction of the constructed trace containing noise from the input seismic trace, the observed noise was highly attenuated.

Environmental Noise Source Identification Based on Sound Pressure and Sound Intensity Integrating Techniques

In view of the traditional methods can not accurately identify the far field of the problem of sound source location,Sound pressure and sound intensity combination technique is proposed for identifying environmental noise source. Using the method of sound pressure can test the size of the noise sound pressure and sound intensity method can identify the noise source bearing characteristics identify the noise source. The technology of this noise identification is applied to identify Noise of boundary of a factory and then finds out the main noise source. Test results showed that: Causing the plant boundary noise source are the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th sound source, therefore the solution of reducing noise at boundary is developed.

Acoustical considerations in design and construction of Turkish Contractors Association headquarters

A LEED candidate building of Turkish Contractors Association Headquarters is a prestige building located in Ankara, the project and construction of which is sponsored by leading contractor companies of Turkey. As it represents the status of Turkish construction industry, from concept phase to the very recent inauguration of the building, the major consideration has been the application of latest technology and concepts such as sustainability within the scheme of building that can pioneer future works in the field. Chilled beam ventilation is one example of new technologies applied in the building system design that takes into account high energy efficiency with minimum use of fuel or natural sources. In acoustical terms, the building envelope and structural members together with interior and environmental noise sources in relation to the building services are studied. In order to provide acoustical comfort levels in acoustically sensitive spaces and to control noise and vibration at the source and sound paths, materials and methods are developed. Specifically acoustical interventions and solutions proposed for multi-purpose hall, offices, board and meeting rooms, foyers, mechanical rooms, roof-top units, and generators located close by at the site are discussed within the context of this paper.

Identification of the Local Sources of Paramagnetic Noise in Superconducting Qubit Devices Fabricated onα−Al2O3Substrates Using Density-Functional Calculations

Effective methods for decoupling superconducting qubits (SQs) from parasitic environmental noise sources are critical for increasing their lifetime and phase fidelity. While considerable progress has been made in this area, the microscopic origin of noise remains largely unknown. In this work, first principles density functional theory calculations are employed to identify the microscopic origins of magnetic noise sources in SQs on an α-Al2O3 substrate. The results indicate that it is unlikely that the existence of intrinsic point defects and defect complexes in the substrate are responsible for low frequency noise in these systems. Rather, a comprehensive analysis of extrinsic defects shows that surface aluminum ions interacting with ambient molecules will form a bath of magnetic moments that can couple to the SQ paramagnetically. The microscopic origin of this magnetic noise source is discussed and strategies for ameliorating the effects of these magnetic defects are proposed.

Classification of Environmental Background Noise Sources Using Hilbert-Huang Transform

 Abstract—Classification of common environmental background noise sources like train, airport, car and exhibition hall mixed with speech signals comprise of different utterances of various speakers required in many applications especially for forensic purposes. The acoustic features based on the Fourier and wavelet transformations are frequently used for environmental noise classification purpose. In the methodology presented, the noisy speech signal under test is initially decomposed into overlapped frames. In order to convert the latter into a set of bandlimited functions known as Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs), we use Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method through Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT). In this method the spectral and temporal features are extracted from the IMFs of different noisy speech signals and thereafter classification of different noise sources has been done using k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) classifier as a simpler way. Computed individual feature provides success rate of discrimination which varies from 77% to 85%. The combined feature vector enhances the success rate of classification as exhibited in the results. The technique presented reduces the dimensions of feature vector and proves the effectiveness of individual feature extracted from IMFs for the same.

Environmental noise and cardiovascular disease in adults: Research in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Newly Independent States

The adverse effects of noise on health have been intensely explored in the past 50 years. However, the scope of research conducted in the Central and Eastern Europe, South-East Europe, and Newly Independent States is not well-known. The aim of this review was to present studies on cardiovascular effects of environmental noise in adults published since 1965 and to point out the most important issues that need to be addressed in the future. More than 100 papers on noise and health and about 20 papers on cardiovascular effects of environmental noise in adults were identified by literature search. The authors reviewed scientific international and local journals, conference proceedings, and local reports published in national languages. The major endpoints were high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. The target populations were adults. Experimental and exposure-assessment studies, field, empirical studies, social surveys, and epidemiological studies are presented. The major sources of environmental noise were road and air traffic. The results were presented in tables and the most relevant articles were briefly discussed. The importance of this review is that it refers to some countries that no longer exist in the same political and governmental systems. The strength of this paper is that it includes publications that were not evaluated in earlier systematic reviews. Strategies for future noise-related research on national and global level are proposed.

Road traffic noise and health-related quality of life: A cross-sectional study

Evidence is emerging linking environmental noise to health problems. Noise can affect health directly and indirectly: For example, noise sensitivity moderates the effects of noise annoyance, which in turn mediates the effects of noise exposure. An alternative hypothesis is that noise sensitivity marks the presence of susceptibility to health problems in general, including annoyance from noise. Whether noise sensitivity causes poor health or whether it is a marker of susceptibility to health problems was addressed by comparing the results of a community-based survey of people with similar noise sensitivity profiles but different environmental noise exposures. A questionnaire was delivered to people living in two socio-economically-matched areas: One was within 50 m of a motorway and the other was away from any significant source of environmental noise. The questionnaire contained 58 questions comprised of the World Health Organization health-related quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL), and questions about amenity, neighborhood issues, environmental annoyances, demographics, and noise sensitivity. Noise sensitivity did not vary with proximity to the motorway but annoyance with traffic noise and fumes was greater in those living close to the motorway than in those who were not. Scores on the four WHOQOL domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) were lower in those living close to the motorway, and the WHOQOL domain scores correlated negatively with noise sensitivity in those who lived near motorways but not in those who lived in the quieter areas. This suggests that noise sensitivity is related to poor health outcomes rather than being a trait marker of susceptibility to health problems in general.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEPENDENCE OF NOISE GENERATED BY STANDING CARS ON THE ENGINE POWER / STOVINČIŲ LENGVŲJŲ AUTOMOBILIŲ KELIAMO TRIUKŠMO PRIKLAUSOMYBĖS NUO VARIKLIO DARBINIO TŪRIO TYRIMAI

Ambient noise harms a number of citizens in Europe. The major sources of environmental noise are that generated by cars in streets, parking lots, railway lines and airports as well as noise from local sources (fans, transformers). According to the methodology for noise measurement, engine testing has been carried out. The conducted analysis has been focused on engine capacity and the distance between vehicles and equipment. Equivalent, maximum and minimum sound levels at different frequencies have been measured accepting that errors may range up to 2 %. Maximum sound level has been reached using the engine of 2000 cm3 petrol capacity. At a half-meter distance, the equivalent sound level reaches 89 dB(A), whereas the noise level decreases moving away from the car. The obtained results of tested cars disclose that according to engine capacity, the majority of the investigated cars are technically faulty and therefore significantly exceed noise levels. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas lengvųjų automobilių variklių skleidžiamas triukšmas bei jo poveikis aplinkai. Pateikiama triukšmo matavimo metodika ir eksperimentinis variklio sukelto triukšmo tyrimas. Ištirti penki automobiliai su skirtingais darbinio tūrio skirtingais atstumais varikliais: 1400 cm3 benzininis, 1500 cm3 dyzelinis, 1800 cm3 benzininis, 2000 cm3 benzininis ir 2500 cm3 dyzelinis. Variklio keliamo triukšmo tyrimas buvo atliktas, esant 1000 sūk./min., taip pat įvertinta, kurie automobiliai viršija leistinus triukšmo lygius. Buvo atlikti tyrimai esant 3000 sūk./min. (benzininiams varikliams) ir 3500 sūk./min. (dyzeliniams varikliams). Išmatuoti ekvivalentinis, maksimalus bei minimalus garso lygiai, taip pat garso lygiai, esant skirtingiems dažniams. Priimame prielaidą, kad paklaida gali svyruoti iki 2 %. Didžiausias garso lygis pasiektas 2000 cm3 benzininio variklio. Pusės metro atstumu ekvivalentinis garso lygis siekia 89 dB(A). Tolstant nuo automobilio, triukšmo lygis mažėja. Remiantis gautais rezultatais, galima daryti išvadą, kad vertinant pagal variklių darbinį tūrį daugelis tirtųjų automobilių yra techniškai netvarkingi ir stipriai viršija triukšmo lygius.

Hierarchical Classification of Environmental Noise Sources Considering the Acoustic Signature of Vehicle Pass-Bys

Abstract This work is focused on the automatic recognition of environmental noise sources that affect humans’ health and quality of life, namely industrial, aircraft, railway and road traffic. However, the recognition of the latter, which have the largest influence on citizens’ daily lives, is still an open issue. Therefore, although considering all the aforementioned noise sources, this paper especially focuses on improving the recognition of road noise events by taking advantage of the perceived noise differences along the road vehicle pass-by (which may be divided into different phases: approaching, passing and receding). To that effect, a hierarchical classification scheme that considers these phases independently has been implemented. The proposed classification scheme yields an averaged classification accuracy of 92.5%, which is, in absolute terms, 3% higher than the baseline (a traditional flat classification scheme without hierarchical structure). In particular, it outperforms the baseline in the classification of light and heavy vehicles, yielding a classification accuracy 7% and 4% higher, respectively. Finally, listening tests are performed to compare the system performance with human recognition ability. The results reveal that, although an expert human listener can achieve higher recognition accuracy than the proposed system, the latter outperforms the non-trained listener in 10% in average.

A physics-based approach to flow control using system identification

AbstractControl of amplifier flows poses a great challenge, since the influence of environmental noise sources and measurement contamination is a crucial component in the design of models and the subsequent performance of the controller. A model-based approach that makes a priori assumptions on the noise characteristics often yields unsatisfactory results when the true noise environment is different from the assumed one. An alternative approach is proposed that consists of a data-based system-identification technique for modelling the flow; it avoids the model-based shortcomings by directly incorporating noise influences into an auto-regressive (ARMAX) design. This technique is applied to flow over a backward-facing step, a typical example of a noise-amplifier flow. Physical insight into the specifics of the flow is used to interpret and tailor the various terms of the auto-regressive model. The designed compensator shows an impressive performance as well as a remarkable robustness to increased noise levels and to off-design operating conditions. Owing to its reliance on only time-sequences of observable data, the proposed technique should be attractive in the design of control strategies directly from experimental data and should result in effective compensators that maintain performance in a realistic disturbance environment.

On the outdoor annoyance from scooter and motorbike noise in the urban environment

The health impacts of environmental noise are a growing concern amongst both the general public and policy-makers in Europe. Environmental noise – especially from road transportation – is widely accepted as an important environmental impact factor that can be taken as a start for the process of evaluating the impact of annoyance on the exposed urban population. Extensive urbanisation and the increase of road transport define the main driving forces for the environmental noise exposure of the population. In urban conditions, it is rather common, regarding road transportation noise, to hear from people that, especially, PTW (Powered Two Wheelers) are annoying, and many times are actually the most annoying environmental noise sources introducing a degradation of the urban environment. In this research, in Athens city centre, both scooters and motorbikes operation patterns are analysed, in the basis of their environmental impact through ad-hoc tests to establish if specific features of their emitted noise are annoying and affect the quality of life. It resulted that PTW are a relevant cause of specific environmental annoyance on pedestrians when low background noise levels and sparse traffic flow allow identifying the PTW. Based on the results of a measurement campaign, both Lmax and roughness indices are identified as characteristic noise signatures of the PTW. Results are compared to laboratory studies on annoyance found in literature and to a specific set of interviews with a large number of pedestrians in selected sites. Annoyance caused by scooters and motorbikes is analysed in the findings and conclusions.

A deterrent to repeated noise offences

Since the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) was implemented in 1989, various environmental noise sources and activities have been regulated through different control mechanisms. Nevertheless, the penalty in terms of fines imposed for breaches of the NCO seemed not sufficient to deter the recurrence of offences, in particular during the 90s, when Hong Kong was actively enhancing its infrastructure to accomodate the growth of its thriving economy. Although the maximum fines under the NCO had been doubled in 1994, repeated violations were still serious at that time, with one reason being the continued disregard of those legal requirements by the corporate management. Despite the court had in some offence cases actually imposed the maximum fines, the corporate management simply treated the fines as part of project expenses as they were not held personally liable for the actions of their companies. That malpractice was also disturbing a level playing field in the industry, creating unfairness to other law-abiding persons. A legislative amendment was successfully introduced in 2002 to hold the top management of bodies corporate personally liable for repeated noise offences. This paper will describe the framework of this provision with reference to similar legislation in other countries. The corresponding deterrent effect over the past years would be analysed. Moreover, a code of practice providing practical guidance to prevent violation would also be discussed in the paper.

Controlling environment noise—a hong kong experience

Controlling environmental noise in a metropolitan city, like Hong Kong, has always been a challenge to both the Authority and the industries. This is partly attributable to the past neglect in environmental planning during the early 80s', and partly to the compacted urban settings in Hong Kong. Strategically, the Environmental Protection Department has attempted to pre-empt noise problems through early inventions in projects' planning stage, while in parallel effort was made to address existing noise problems through abatement programs and enforcement of the noise control legislation. This paper briefly outlines the overall framework being implemented in Hong Kong, both legislatively and administratively, to control different kinds of environmental noise sources. Some of the crucial thoughts in the framework and the experience gained through enforcing the relevant legislative provisions will be discussed.

Relationship between Material Characteristics of Asphalt Mixtures and Highway Noise

Traffic noise is a main source of total environmental noise. The major component of traffic noise is the interaction between tire and pavement. One way of reducing traffic noise is to engineer pavements such that tire–pavement noise is minimized. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between the tire–pavement noise generation (and absorption) and the material characteristics of asphalt pavements. This paper presents the impact of material mix design characteristics, as well as linear viscoelastic properties on sound absorption. To focus on the relationship between the noise and the internal material characteristics, a novel laboratory tire–pavement noise measurement system was developed. Although the individual material characteristics did not have an appreciable influence on the damping of sound, a strong correlation between the sound pressure level and a combination of several material characteristics was observed.

Distance-based assessment of open country Quiet Areas in Greece

The need to preserve natural quietness, as a resourceful land protection strategy, has increased with the need to implement the EU's Environmental Noise Directive (END, 2002/49/EC) at a national level. We implemented distance-based criteria with view to defining potential Quiet Areas (QAs) in open country of Greece. Residential areas, industrial sites and traffic noise are the main environmental noise sources considered according to END's prerequisites. Also following the particular characteristics of the country (e.g. leisure facilities) we considered recreational areas and construction sites for our analysis, as well as the cumulative effects of noise sources. The spatial analysis of QAs in open country indicated that the higher values of clustering are found in places of high biodiversity value (as these were characterized by the Habitat's Directive 92/43/EEC), thus multiplying the need for QAs to be preserved. Although distance-based criteria are considerably less accurate than true noise levels calculations, our research serves as a first step for the estimation of QAs in open country at the national level, before moving on to on-site measurements for the complete definition of QAs (at the regional level), thus providing a rapid, comprehensible but above all a cost-effective solution for the assessment of QAs by management responsibles.

A comparison between exposure-response relationships for wind turbine annoyance and annoyance due to other noise sources

Surveys have shown that noise from wind turbines is perceived as annoying by a proportion of residents living in their vicinity, apparently at much lower noise levels than those inducing annoyance due to other environmental sources. The aim of the present study was to derive the exposure-response relationship between wind turbine noise exposure in L(den) and the expected percentage annoyed residents and to compare it to previously established relationships for industrial noise and transportation noise. In addition, the influence of several individual and situational factors was assessed. On the basis of available data from two surveys in Sweden (N=341, N=754) and one survey in the Netherlands (N=725), a relationship was derived for annoyance indoors and for annoyance outdoors at the dwelling. In comparison to other sources of environmental noise, annoyance due to wind turbine noise was found at relatively low noise exposure levels. Furthermore, annoyance was lower among residents who received economical benefit from wind turbines and higher among residents for whom the wind turbine was visible from the dwelling. Age and noise sensitivity had similar effects on annoyance to those found in research on annoyance by other sources.

LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO TRAFFIC NOISE AND TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION AND CORONARY HEART DISEASE MORTALITY

Background and Aims: In metropolitan areas, road traffic is a major contributor to ambient air pollution, and also the dominant source of environmental noise. Therefore, observed associations betwe...

Spectrum analysis of wind turbine noise in Vydmantai

Wind energy is an auspicious technology which helps to transform today’s society to the use of environmental friendly energy. However, sound emissions from wind turbine have been one of the most important challenges in wind energy engineering. As technology has advanced, wind turbines have become quieter, but sound from wind turbines is still an important sitting criterion. In present work efforts have been taken to indentify features of wind plant noise that may be the reasons of public concern. The noise generated by wind plant located near Vydmantai was analyzed. It was shown that although wind plant noise does not exceed recommended noise pressure levels at least at the distances larger than 200 m, however, in some frequency ranges the increase of noise can be distinguished in wind plant noise spectra. Comparison of noise spectra of different environmental noise sources, particularly, comparison with spectra of traffic generated noise shows that intensification of some wind plant noise spectral components may be the reason for public annoyance. The impact of the presence of audible tones in noise to the annoyance relative to the same noise (level) without audible tones is reviewed. It is justified that a penalty of 3–6 dB should be added to the measured sound pressure levels to compensate for the extra annoyance due to the clearly audible in the noise. Keywords: wind plant noise, noise masking, noise assessment, spectra

Automatic environmental noise source classification model using fuzzy logic

Noise classification is very important nowadays. Fuzzy logic has been applied to many interesting problems in different areas including noise identification/recognition. With this study, we propose an automatic environmental noise source classifier based on fuzzy logic. The proposed classifier uses the feature parameters that are extracted using short-time auto-correlation function. Six commonly encountered non-stationary noise sources are chosen to recognize. These are subway, airport, inside car, inside train, restaurant, and rain. Classification accuracy of the proposed classifier ranged from 62% to 90% rates.

Health aspects associated with wind turbine noise—Results from three field studies

Wind farms are a new source of environmental noise. The impact of wind turbine noise on health and well-being has not yet been well-established and remains under debate. Long-term effects, especially, are not known, because of the short time wind turbines have been operating and the relatively few people who have so far been exposed to wind turbine noise. As the rate of new installations increases, so does the number of people being exposed to wind turbine noise and the importance of identifying possible adverse health effects. Data from three cross-sectional studies comprising A-weighted sound pressure levels of wind turbine noise, and subjectively measured responses from 1,755 people, were used to systematically explore the relationships between sound levels and aspects of health and well-being. Consistent findings, that is, where all three studies showed the same result, are presented, and possible associations between wind turbine noise and human health are discussed.