Measurement and sonification of construction site noise and particle pollution data

Abstract

PurposeThe noise and dust particles caused by the construction transport are by most stakeholders experienced as disturbing. The purpose of this study is to explore how sonification can support visualization in construction planning to decrease construction transport disturbances.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents an interdisciplinary research project, combining research on construction logistics, internet of things and sonification. First, a data recording device, including sound, particle, temperature and humidity sensors, was implemented and deployed in a development project. Second, the collected data were used in a sonification design, which was, third, evaluated with potential users.FindingsThe results showed that the low-cost sensors used could capture “good enough” data, and that the use of sonification for representing these data is interesting and a possible useful tool in urban and construction transport planning.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to further evolve the sonification design and better communicate the aim of the sounds used to potential users. Further testing is also needed.Practical implicationsThis study introduces new ideas of how to support visualization with sonification planning the construction work and its impact on the vicinity of the site. Currently, urban planning and construction planning focus on visualizing the final result, with little focus on how to handle disturbances during the construction process.Originality/valueShowing the potentials of using low-cost sensor data in sonification, and using sonification together with visualization, is the result of a novel interdisciplinary research area combination.

Turning a spotlight on construction logistics for a sustainable urban environment—a review of current policy concepts and literature

“…Furthermore, the researchers used the same data source to run an in-depth environmental impact assessment for the HGV driving through the territory of Belgium and displayed that more than one-fourth of the HGV's traffic in Belgium is generated by construction activity, resulting in over a million euros of environmental and other external costs per month (Brusselaers et al, 2023). Another method to gain a better understanding of the implications of construction logistics is provided by Rönnberg et al (2022) who recorded noise and particle pollution data on-site with low-cost sensors to give planners and decision makers for construction sites and logistics a better understanding of these external factors.…”

A Sensor-Based System for Dust Containment in the Construction Site

“…It is also highlighted that research on the impact of PM on workers follows three main lines, namely the monitoring of powders, the control and prevention of the production of such powders during processing, and the effects on health. Instead, paper [25] aims to highlight the potential of the use of Internet of Things sensors for monitoring as support visualization in construction. Additionally, in [26] a high importance is given to the monitoring of construction site dust to support political decision-makers in their choices.…”