Application of a methodology for categorizing and differentiating urban soundscapes using acoustical descriptors and semantic-differential attributes

Torija Martinez, AJ; Ruiz, DP; Ramos-Ridao, A

Abstract

A subjective and physical categorization of an ambient sound is the first step to evaluate the soundscape
and provides a basis for designing or adapting this ambient sound to match people’s expectations.
For this reason, the main goal of this work is to develop a categorization and differentiation
analysis of soundscapes on the basis of acoustical and perceptual variables. A hierarchical cluster
analysis, using 15 semantic-differential attributes and acoustical descriptors to include an equivalent
sound-pressure level, maximum-minimum sound-pressure level, impulsiveness of the soundpressure
level, sound-pressure level time course, and spectral composition, was conducted to
classify soundscapes into different typologies. This analysis identified 15 different soundscape
typologies. Furthermore, based on a discriminant analysis the acoustical descriptors, the crest factor
(impulsiveness of the sound-pressure level), and the sound level at 125 Hz were found to be the
acoustical variables with the highest impact in the differentiation of the recognized types of soundscapes.
Finally, to determine how the different soundscape typologies differed from each other,
both subjectively and acoustically, a study was performed.

Citation

Torija Martinez, A., Ruiz, D., & Ramos-Ridao, A. (2013). Application of a methodology for categorizing and differentiating urban soundscapes using acoustical descriptors and semantic-differential attributes. ˜The œJournal of the Acoustical Society of America (Online), 134(1), 791-802. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.4807804

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Jul 11, 2013
• Publication Date: Jul 11, 2013
• Deposit Date: Dec 2, 2019
• Journal: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA)
• Print ISSN: 0001-4966
• Volume: 134
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 791-802
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1121/1.4807804
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1121/1.4807804
• Related Public URLs: https://asa.scitation.org/journal/jas
• Additional Information: Funders : CONSEJERIA DE INNOVACION, CIENCIA Y EMPRESA. JUNTA DE ANDALUCIA;Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad - Spanish Government; Grant Number: P07-TIC-03269; Grant Number: TEC2012-38883-C02-02