Tranquil environments can provide relief from stresses of everyday of life and can be considered ... more Tranquil environments can provide relief from stresses of everyday of life and can be considered restorative environments. This paper considers the effects of " greening " urban environments to enhance tranqui llity and ultimately well-being and health benefits. A number of studies have been conducted at the Bradford Centre for Sustainable Environments at the University of Bradford which have examined the effects of natural features on ratings of tranquillity. These include quantifying the effects of the percentage of natural and contextual features and soundscape quality on rated tranquillity. Recently the resulting prediction equation TRAPT (Tranquillity Rating Prediction Tool) has been used to examine a number of scenarios including city parks and square s, country parks and moorland areas and validated using tranquillity ratings made by visitors to these green spaces and their reported levels of relaxation. In this paper TRAPT is used for predicting tranquillity in city squares of different sizes, to examine rated tranquillity behind natural (green) and manufactured noise barriers and to predict changes in urban streets of introducing avenues of trees, hedges and grass verges. Using such scenarios this paper demonstrates how the application of TRAPT can enable changes in tranquillity to be estimated. This can provide planners, environmentalists, civic leaders and concerned citizens with a further tool to guide improvements in the urban environment by " greening " measures and noise reduction of various kinds and to help counter threats such as over development, tree removal or traffic densification that might threaten existing benefits. 242 words
The control of vehicle noise is currently achieved by using the A-weighted sound pressure level a... more The control of vehicle noise is currently achieved by using the A-weighted sound pressure level and measuring the maximum sound level achieved during a full acceleration test. Doubts have been expressed about the continuing use of the scale of dB(A) as the sole means of assessing and regulating this noise, since it is felt that some vehicles emitting the same sound level when measured on the dB(A) scale can differ appreciably in terms of their subjective noisiness. This paper describes four experiments where the aim was to determine whether other noise scales would be more appropriate for measuring vehicle noise. A total of over 100 subjects made assessments of the noisiness of a wide range of recorded vehicle noises. The sounds were replayed in two listening rooms designed to simulate indoor and outdoor listening conditions. It was concluded that, generally, loudness measures were most closely related to average noisiness ratings, but provided that the frequency spectra of vehicle sounds are not greatly different, loudness measures have no advantage over the A-weighted level currently employed.
There is considerable public concern about the noise produced by traffic running on concrete road... more There is considerable public concern about the noise produced by traffic running on concrete road surfaces. This is considered by some to be both louder and harsher than that produced under similar conditions by traffic travelling on bituminous road surfaces. The Highways Agency of the Department of Transport commissioned research to investigate the nature and size of this problem. The primary object of the initial research described in this paper was to determine whether, under controlled laboratory listening conditions, there are significant differences in the perception of noise from traffic running on selected examples of existing concrete and bituminous road surfaces. A total of 40 listeners from the general public took part in the trials, and this enabled unbiased assessments to be made of the comparative noisiness of the noise generated by traffic running on the two surface types. The results lend support to the contention that some concrete roads are genuinely subjectively noisier than bituminous roads. However, the data also shows that provided the surfaces are designed to produce similar levels of loudness than there is unlikely to be a clear distinction in terms of perceived noisiness.
There is a global and growing sustainability agenda for surface transport yet there are no specif... more There is a global and growing sustainability agenda for surface transport yet there are no specific means of assessing the relative sustainability of infrastructure equipment. Transport noise reduction devices are a significant part of the surface transport infrastructure: they specifically address environmental and social needs, have a high economic impact, and involve a wide range of raw materials raising multiple technical issues. The paper presents an account of the bespoke tool developed for assessing the sustainability of transport noise reduction devices. Regulatory standards for noise reduction devices and the relevant sustainability assessment tools and procedures adopted worldwide were reviewed in order to produce a set of pertinent sustainability criteria and indicators for NRDs projects, which were reviewed and edited during a stakeholder engagement process. A decision making process for assessing the relative sustainability of noise reduction devices was formulated following the review of the literature. Two key stages were identified: (1) collection of data for criteria fulfillment evaluation and (2) multi-criteria analysis for assessing the sustainability of noise reduction devices. Appropriate tools and methods for achieving both objectives are recommended. (C. Oltean-Dumbrava), g.r.watts@bradford.ac.uk (G. Watts), a.h.s.miah1@bradford.ac.uk (A. Miah).
In the past it has been found that the maximum pass-by noise for the most noisy of vehicles can b... more In the past it has been found that the maximum pass-by noise for the most noisy of vehicles can be 6-8 dB(A) above the average for the sample. It is therefore useful to consider the types of vehicle that make excessive noise and their condition and to reach some conclusions on how best to reduce the problem. Measurements of maximum noise, pass-by speed together with video footage were taken on a busy dual carriageway road (A34) in the UK carrying a high percentage of heavy vehicles. The intention was to collect sufficient information on light, medium heavy and heavy vehicles to enable typical characteristics of noisy vehicles to be identified. Peak noise levels produced by vehicles under normal operating conditions of steady speed were recorded and not of vehicle being driven in an aggressive manner e.g. under harsh acceleration. This paper reports on the characteristics of excessively noisy vehicles that were identified under these cruising conditions in free flow traffic conditions.
Tranquillity characterised by a pleasant but calming environment is often to be found in natural ... more Tranquillity characterised by a pleasant but calming environment is often to be found in natural environments where man-made noise is at a low level though natural sounds can be relatively high. Numerous studies have shown a link between such restorative environments and hospital recovery rates, stress reduction, longevity, pain relief and even how the brain processes auditory signals. In hospitals and primary care facilities there is a need to improve patient waiting rooms as current designs are largely based solely on medical need. There are often long waits in such spaces and patients are coping with the stress and anxiety caused by their medical condition. Attention should therefore be given to creating "restorative environment" as a component to their medical treatment. The study describes the effects of introducing natural sounds and large images of natural landscapes into a waiting room in a student health centre. Using self reported levels of anxiety and tranquillity it was possible to assess the impact of these targeted auditory and visual interventions had in affecting the quality of the patient experience.
The findings of a wildness study are presented where audio-visual stimuli (video footage), were a... more The findings of a wildness study are presented where audio-visual stimuli (video footage), were assessed by experimental subjects under controlled conditions, in order to obtain reliable estimates of perceived tranquillity together with a number of other rated qualities including calmness and pleasantness. A wide range of mainly natural scenes totalling 46 were presented including footage from the Scottish Highlands and Dartmoor National Park. The findings clearly demonstrate that rated tranquillity relates closely to rated calmness and pleasantness and this agrees with earlier studies of soundscape categorisation. The effect of adding man-made sounds to the soundscape was shown to seriously degrade perceived tranquillity though ratings of wildness were not nearly as affected. Attempts to improve the level of tranquillity further by adding natural sounds were largely unsuccessful. It was considered important to determine if the previously employed Tranquillity Rating Prediction Tool (TRAPT) successfully validated for mainly urban open spaces could usefully predict tranquility in remote wildland areas. In fact results demonstrated the relatively close relationship between predicted and actually rated tranquillity in these remote areas which further extended the range of validity of the prediction tool. The findings of this study will challenge the notion that characterization of landscapes is purely a visual exercise and that soundscape quality needs to be considered as an integral part of this assessment process. For this reason the findings will be of interest to those responsible for managing and marketing protected areas such as National Parks, practitioners involved in carrying out landscape character assessments, cartographers and landscape architects involved in designing tranquil spaces across a range of scales.
Tranquil environments can provide relief from stresses of everyday of life and can be considered ... more Tranquil environments can provide relief from stresses of everyday of life and can be considered restorative environments. This paper considers the effects of " greening " urban environments to enhance tranqui llity and ultimately well-being and health benefits. A number of studies have been conducted at the Bradford Centre for Sustainable Environments at the University of Bradford which have examined the effects of natural features on ratings of tranquillity. These include quantifying the effects of the percentage of natural and contextual features and soundscape quality on rated tranquillity. Recently the resulting prediction equation TRAPT (Tranquillity Rating Prediction Tool) has been used to examine a number of scenarios including city parks and square s, country parks and moorland areas and validated using tranquillity ratings made by visitors to these green spaces and their reported levels of relaxation. In this paper TRAPT is used for predicting tranquillity in city squares of different sizes, to examine rated tranquillity behind natural (green) and manufactured noise barriers and to predict changes in urban streets of introducing avenues of trees, hedges and grass verges. Using such scenarios this paper demonstrates how the application of TRAPT can enable changes in tranquillity to be estimated. This can provide planners, environmentalists, civic leaders and concerned citizens with a further tool to guide improvements in the urban environment by " greening " measures and noise reduction of various kinds and to help counter threats such as over development, tree removal or traffic densification that might threaten existing benefits. 242 words
The control of vehicle noise is currently achieved by using the A-weighted sound pressure level a... more The control of vehicle noise is currently achieved by using the A-weighted sound pressure level and measuring the maximum sound level achieved during a full acceleration test. Doubts have been expressed about the continuing use of the scale of dB(A) as the sole means of assessing and regulating this noise, since it is felt that some vehicles emitting the same sound level when measured on the dB(A) scale can differ appreciably in terms of their subjective noisiness. This paper describes four experiments where the aim was to determine whether other noise scales would be more appropriate for measuring vehicle noise. A total of over 100 subjects made assessments of the noisiness of a wide range of recorded vehicle noises. The sounds were replayed in two listening rooms designed to simulate indoor and outdoor listening conditions. It was concluded that, generally, loudness measures were most closely related to average noisiness ratings, but provided that the frequency spectra of vehicle sounds are not greatly different, loudness measures have no advantage over the A-weighted level currently employed.
There is considerable public concern about the noise produced by traffic running on concrete road... more There is considerable public concern about the noise produced by traffic running on concrete road surfaces. This is considered by some to be both louder and harsher than that produced under similar conditions by traffic travelling on bituminous road surfaces. The Highways Agency of the Department of Transport commissioned research to investigate the nature and size of this problem. The primary object of the initial research described in this paper was to determine whether, under controlled laboratory listening conditions, there are significant differences in the perception of noise from traffic running on selected examples of existing concrete and bituminous road surfaces. A total of 40 listeners from the general public took part in the trials, and this enabled unbiased assessments to be made of the comparative noisiness of the noise generated by traffic running on the two surface types. The results lend support to the contention that some concrete roads are genuinely subjectively noisier than bituminous roads. However, the data also shows that provided the surfaces are designed to produce similar levels of loudness than there is unlikely to be a clear distinction in terms of perceived noisiness.
There is a global and growing sustainability agenda for surface transport yet there are no specif... more There is a global and growing sustainability agenda for surface transport yet there are no specific means of assessing the relative sustainability of infrastructure equipment. Transport noise reduction devices are a significant part of the surface transport infrastructure: they specifically address environmental and social needs, have a high economic impact, and involve a wide range of raw materials raising multiple technical issues. The paper presents an account of the bespoke tool developed for assessing the sustainability of transport noise reduction devices. Regulatory standards for noise reduction devices and the relevant sustainability assessment tools and procedures adopted worldwide were reviewed in order to produce a set of pertinent sustainability criteria and indicators for NRDs projects, which were reviewed and edited during a stakeholder engagement process. A decision making process for assessing the relative sustainability of noise reduction devices was formulated following the review of the literature. Two key stages were identified: (1) collection of data for criteria fulfillment evaluation and (2) multi-criteria analysis for assessing the sustainability of noise reduction devices. Appropriate tools and methods for achieving both objectives are recommended. (C. Oltean-Dumbrava), g.r.watts@bradford.ac.uk (G. Watts), a.h.s.miah1@bradford.ac.uk (A. Miah).
In the past it has been found that the maximum pass-by noise for the most noisy of vehicles can b... more In the past it has been found that the maximum pass-by noise for the most noisy of vehicles can be 6-8 dB(A) above the average for the sample. It is therefore useful to consider the types of vehicle that make excessive noise and their condition and to reach some conclusions on how best to reduce the problem. Measurements of maximum noise, pass-by speed together with video footage were taken on a busy dual carriageway road (A34) in the UK carrying a high percentage of heavy vehicles. The intention was to collect sufficient information on light, medium heavy and heavy vehicles to enable typical characteristics of noisy vehicles to be identified. Peak noise levels produced by vehicles under normal operating conditions of steady speed were recorded and not of vehicle being driven in an aggressive manner e.g. under harsh acceleration. This paper reports on the characteristics of excessively noisy vehicles that were identified under these cruising conditions in free flow traffic conditions.
Tranquillity characterised by a pleasant but calming environment is often to be found in natural ... more Tranquillity characterised by a pleasant but calming environment is often to be found in natural environments where man-made noise is at a low level though natural sounds can be relatively high. Numerous studies have shown a link between such restorative environments and hospital recovery rates, stress reduction, longevity, pain relief and even how the brain processes auditory signals. In hospitals and primary care facilities there is a need to improve patient waiting rooms as current designs are largely based solely on medical need. There are often long waits in such spaces and patients are coping with the stress and anxiety caused by their medical condition. Attention should therefore be given to creating "restorative environment" as a component to their medical treatment. The study describes the effects of introducing natural sounds and large images of natural landscapes into a waiting room in a student health centre. Using self reported levels of anxiety and tranquillity it was possible to assess the impact of these targeted auditory and visual interventions had in affecting the quality of the patient experience.
The findings of a wildness study are presented where audio-visual stimuli (video footage), were a... more The findings of a wildness study are presented where audio-visual stimuli (video footage), were assessed by experimental subjects under controlled conditions, in order to obtain reliable estimates of perceived tranquillity together with a number of other rated qualities including calmness and pleasantness. A wide range of mainly natural scenes totalling 46 were presented including footage from the Scottish Highlands and Dartmoor National Park. The findings clearly demonstrate that rated tranquillity relates closely to rated calmness and pleasantness and this agrees with earlier studies of soundscape categorisation. The effect of adding man-made sounds to the soundscape was shown to seriously degrade perceived tranquillity though ratings of wildness were not nearly as affected. Attempts to improve the level of tranquillity further by adding natural sounds were largely unsuccessful. It was considered important to determine if the previously employed Tranquillity Rating Prediction Tool (TRAPT) successfully validated for mainly urban open spaces could usefully predict tranquility in remote wildland areas. In fact results demonstrated the relatively close relationship between predicted and actually rated tranquillity in these remote areas which further extended the range of validity of the prediction tool. The findings of this study will challenge the notion that characterization of landscapes is purely a visual exercise and that soundscape quality needs to be considered as an integral part of this assessment process. For this reason the findings will be of interest to those responsible for managing and marketing protected areas such as National Parks, practitioners involved in carrying out landscape character assessments, cartographers and landscape architects involved in designing tranquil spaces across a range of scales.
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