Participatory Noise Mapping: Harnessing the Potential of Smartphones Through the Development of a Dedicated Citizen-Science Platform

This paper presents results of an ongoing project which aims to develop a purpose-built platform for using smart phones as alternative to sound level meters for citizen-science based environment noise assessment. In order to manage and control environmental noise effectively, the extent of the problem must first be quantified. Across the world, strategic noise maps are used to assess the impact of environmental noise in cities. Traditionally, these maps are developed using predictive techniques, but some authors have advocated the use of noise measurements to develop more reliable and robust noise maps. If adopted correctly, smartphones have the capability to revolutionize the manner in which environmental noise assessments are performed. The development of smartphone technology, and its impact on environmental noise studies, has recently begun to receive attention in the academic literature. Recent research has assessed the capability of existing smartphone applications (apps) to be utilized as an alternative low-cost solution to traditional noise monitoring. Results show that the accuracy of current noise measurement apps varies widely relative to pre-specified reference levels. The high degree of measurement variability associated with such apps renders their robustness questionable in their current state. Further work is required to assess how smartphones with mobile apps may be used in the field and what limitations may be associated with their use. To overcome the above issues, this project is developing a platform specifically for citizen science noise assessment. The platform consists of a smartphone app that acquires a sound signal and transfers the data to a server via a web based API for post processing purposes. This then returns key information to the user, as well as logging the data for use in a massive noise mapping study. The structure of the proposed platform maintains a clear separation between client (phone) and server. This approach will allow implementation of future open source client side apps for both Android and iOS operating systems. INTRODUCTION Smartphones have become a must-have for the majority of adult citizens in the world’s developed nations. As of October 2014, 64% of U.S. adults own some form of smartphone [1]. The development of smartphone technology and its impact on environmental noise studies has only recently begun to receive attention in the academic literature [2-4]. If adopted correctly, smart phones have the capability to revolutionize the manner in which environmental noise assessments are performed. This paper presents results of an ongoing project which aims to develop a purpose built platform for using smart phones as an alternative to sound level meters for citizen-science based environment noise assessment. The key feature of the proposed approach is a clear separation between client (phone) and server as illustrated in Fig.1. Fig. 1 Working principle of platform: Data is received from remote users and transferred to server with appropriate credentials. After server processes all data, it publishes the noise map via web. Previous Research Some recent academic studies suggest that smartphones are capable of replacing traditional noise assessment devices such as sound level meters in the near future. Kanjo (2010) outlined the possibility of developing a mobile phone platform for measuring noise in cities and highlights the potential of such Proceedings of the ASME 2017 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition IMECE2017 November 3-9, 2017, Tampa, Florida, USA