A study of pleasantness and annoyance in simulated soundscapes

An experimental study has been conducted in the Acoustic Technology Department of the Technical University of Denmark. Audio-visual simulations of a park and an urban square were attempted; a series of listening tests were carried out. The subjects were asked to qualify the soundscape in terms of both annoyance and pleasantness.

Two sources were taken into account: Street Traffic Sound and Fountain Sound. The annoyance study concentrates in each source separately, whereas the pleasantness analysis focuses in combination of both sources. Figures of street traffic sound and water sound versus annoyance are presented. Furthermore, four different street traffic sound levels were used, whereas fountain sound level was varied.

In all the presentations, birds sound has been included in order to make the acoustic environment more realistic. The pleasantness of different combinations of street traffic sound and fountain sound is illustrated. The results show that the accuracy of the simulation is a decisive factor in order to have reliable results; on the other hand, even a simple model can be sufficient to demonstrate the tendency of the test subjects’ preferences.