Noise annoyance and restoration in different courtyard settings: Laboratory experiments on audio-visual interactions

• Having access to restorative, natural environments in urban residential areas is important for health and wellbeing. However, previous research on restorative environments is mainly focused on the visual impression. Knowledge is needed on the interaction between the acoustic/perceived soundscape and the visual appearance in residential settings intended for restoration and recreation. The present study examines audio-visual interactions in two laboratory settings – an attractive vs. unattractive courtyard. At each courtyard setting, six sound conditions were presented in a randomised order during 4 minutes each: only sounds from road traffic at LAeq 43, 50 and 55 dB, and these traffic sound levels together with birdsong. 24 subjects (12 men, 12 women) participated in the experiment. The results indicate that visual courtyard perception, road traffic noise annoyance, perceived soundscape (e.g., soothing, stressing), emotional reactions, and possibilities to rest/relax were affected by courtyard setting, sound levels, and birdsong. For example, noise annoyance decreased with the attractive courtyard setting and presence of birdsong. However, about 35 to 50% and 75 to 90% were annoyed at 50 and 55 dB, respectively. At these sound levels, few of the participants reported that they would like to visit the courtyards, even if it was the attractive one.

Subject headings

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

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

Keyword

Ljudmiljöexperiment

gårdsmiljöer

vägtrafikbullerexponering

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)