Estimation of uncertainty using revised draft ISO 1996-2

Alves, S; Waddington, DC

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine methods for the estimation of the uncertainty associated with environmental acoustic measurements. It is considered best practice that any measurement should be accompanied by a quantitative indication of its quality, that is, the uncertainty of the measurement. ISO 1996-2:2007 "Acoustics - Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise - Part 2: Determination of environmental noise levels" presents guidelines on how to determine the measurement uncertainty associated with environmental acoustic measurements, although the presentation of this value is not yet mandatory. However, this international standard is to be revised (stage 90.92 at 17 June 2012). From discussion with members of the ISO Standard working group, the last working draft ISO 1996-2:2011(11-02-02 2nd working draft) follows the uncertainty calculation methodology recommended in IMAGINE documents and it states that the estimation of measurement uncertainty should be reported. This paper presents a method, based on the ISO working document, to perform this calculation as well as two worked examples (road traffic noise and railway traffic noise). In concluding, this paper presents a reflection on why an estimate of the uncertainty of the measurement is essential in environmental acoustics, comments on the approach currently being followed by the main European and International standards, and finally summarises methods to minimise the uncertainty associated with environmental noise level measurements.

Citation

Alves, S., & Waddington, D. (2014). Estimation of uncertainty using revised draft ISO 1996-2. Acoustics bulletin / Institute of Acoustics, 39(2), 34-41

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 19, 2016
• Journal: Acoustics Bulletin
• Print ISSN: 0308-437X
• Publisher: Institute of Acoustics
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 34-41
• Publisher URL: https://www.ioa.org.uk/publications/acoustics-bulletin-past