Audio-visual reactions to wind turbines

• A cross sectional study with the aim of evaluating dose response relationships between noise exposure from wind turbines and subjective reactions was performed in a flat landscape in Sweden. The study area comprised 16 turbines. Subjective reactions were obtained by a questionnaire, which purpose was masked. The response rate was 69% (356 respondents). Outdoor noise levels (dBA) were calculated for each dwelling at 2.5 dB intervals. The results showed a significant dose response relationship between noise level and annoyance. The prevalence of noise annoyance was comparatively high. In the categories of greatest noise exposure 37.5-40 dBA and >40 dBA, 20% (95%Cl: ±12.4) and 36% (95%Cl: ±18.4) were very annoyed. The noise only explained part of the annoyance. Noise annoyance was also correlated to visual factors such as the respondents’ opinion of the turbines’ impact on the landscape. To further study interactions between noise annoyance and visual disturbance, the shadows from wind turbines (hours/year) were calculated for each respondent and used as dose for annoyance of shadows, but also as a variable when trying to explain noise annoyance. The results of the analysis and the possible interactions between audio and visual annoyance will be presented at the conference.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsmedicin och miljömedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Health and Environmental Health (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Acoustic noise measurement; Acoustic wave effects; Mathematical models; Wind turbines

Audio visual reactions; Noise annoyance; Outdoor noise levels

Acoustic noise

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)