Analysis of the suitability of using the A-weighting filter for evaluating road traffic exposure

Torija Martinez, AJ; Flindell, IH; Ruiz, DP

Abstract

A-weighted sound pressure level is the most widely used descriptor for evaluating noise annoyance. However, strong criticism is associated with the dB(A) scale because it overcompensates for the hearing system’s reduced sensitivity at low frequencies. Thus, many authors claim against the using of A-weighted sound pressure level for assessing noise annoyance when the low frequency content is highly dominant since dB(A) units do not give a true picture of the annoyance potential for low frequency noises. For this reason, a listening test has been conducted with the goal of: (i) analyzing the convenience of using the A-weighted scale for evaluating sound environments characterized by the physical dominance of low frequency noise; and (ii) analyzing and quantifying the difference in audibility and perceived annoyance among broad-band low frequency (LF), medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) noises. The obtained results suggest that the A-weighting filter properly describes the difference in perceived annoyance between LF and MF noises, but some improvements have to be undertaken in order to address a better description of the differences in perceived annoyance between both MF and LF noises and HF noises.

Citation

Torija Martinez, A., Flindell, I., & Ruiz, D. (2014, September). Analysis of the suitability of using the A-weighting filter for evaluating road traffic exposure. Presented at 7th Forum Acusticum, FA 2014, Krakow, Poland

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 7th Forum Acusticum, FA 2014
• Conference Location: Krakow, Poland
• Start Date: Sep 7, 2014
• End Date: Sep 12, 2014
• Publication Date: Sep 7, 2014
• Deposit Date: Dec 3, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 3, 2019
• Publisher URL: https://euracoustics.org/events/events-2014/forum-acusticum-2014
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference; Funders : University of Malaga and the European Commission under the Agreement Grant no. 246550 of the seventh Framework Programme for R & D of the EU, granted within the People Programme, «Co- funding of Regional, National and International Programmes» (COFUND);“Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” of Spain; Grant Number: Agreement Grant No. 246550; Grant Number: COFUND2013- 40259; Grant Number: TEC2012-38883-C02-02