Sensor City

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Sensor City is an initiative of the Province of Drenthe and the Municipality of Assen, in which a large-scale urban measuring network is being implemented, that will enable various applications for complex sensor systems to be developed for practical use. As a test-bed and showcase for the uses of sensor systems, this forms a facility that is unique in the world. INCAS³ is a research partner in the Sensor City Sound project.

INCAS³ contribution to the Sensor City Sound project

Human evaluation of an acoustic environment is not just a matter of decibels but is closely related to the meaning of sound sources and the effect it makes on human beings. This effect is determined by a combination of sound source identification and sound level measurement. To determine the audio characteristics of a particular spot a two-dimensional graphics map called [Sound Source x sound level] Time Component Matrix Chart¹ (abbreviated as TM-Chart) is used. TM Chart shows percentage time of a predominant sound source with information of sound level.The size of the cells in the TM Chart is proportional to the audible percentage time of sound source, with the sound level shown in one of the ranges as coloured.

TM Chart

The figures illustrate the concept of the TM-Chart. The ordinate and abscissa indicate the percentage time of the sound levels and the percentage time of the sound sources, respectively. In this case the sound A, for example a car noise, is heard for 70 % of the time during the observation, for 60% of which the sound level falls between 40 to 50 dB, and for 40% of which it falls between 50 to 60dB. The sound B, for example songs of cicadae, is heard for 30% of the time during the observation, for 80% of which the sound level falls between 50 to 60 dB and for 20% of which it falls between 60 to 70 dB. The right figure illustrates an actual day meeting in Kyoto.

By means of the TM-Chart one can determine which sound is dominant for a specific location. One of the INCAS³ contributions will be the source identification which is an important input for the TM-Chart. Linked to a investigation of the meaning people give to various sound sources that are in their environment, this work will allow to build a dynamic sound map and sound forecast of Assen.

¹The physical expression of soundscape: An investigation by means of Time Component Matrix Chart, Kozo Hiramatsu et. al., InterNoise 2008.

Partners

• Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
• Peutz
• University of Groningen