Abstract

An innovative system designed for the continuous monitoring of acoustic climate of urban areas was presentedin the paper. The assessment of environmental threats is performed using online data, acquired through a grid ofengineered monitoring stations collecting comprehensive information about the acoustic climate of urban areas.The grid of proposed devices provides valuable data for the purpose of long and short time acoustic climateanalysis. Dynamic estimation of noise source parameters and real measurement results of emission data areutilized to create dynamic noise maps accessible to the general public. This operation is performed through thenoise source prediction employing a propagation model being optimized for computer cluster implementationrequirements. It enables the system to generate noise maps in a reasonable time and to publish regularly mapupdates in the Internet. Moreover, the functionality of the system was extended with new techniques forassessing noise-induced harmful effects on the human hearing system. The principle of operation of thedosimeter is based on a modified psychoacoustic model of hearing and on the results of research performed withparticipation of volunteers concerning the impact of noise on hearing. The primary function of the dosimeter isto estimate, in real time, auditory effects which are caused by exposure to noise. The results of measurementsand simulations performed by the system prototype are depicted and analyzed. Several cases of long-term andshort-term measurements of noise originating from various sources were considered in detail. The presentedoutcomes of predicted degree of the hearing threshold shift induced during the noise exposure can increase theawareness of harmfulness of excessive sound levels.

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Authors (4)