Real-world study cases for auralization validation: selection, measurements, and methods

Abstract

Recent advances in the development of plausible environmental noise auralization tools are making way for their implementation in practical applications. In particular, increasingly realistic air traffic noise auralization frameworks are being developed. These could become powerful tools for assisting decision-making in architectural and urban planning projects, by allowing users to perceive and experiment with the impact of their design choices on noise mitigation. However, the auralization models must be validated before such solutions can be implemented. By comparing human impressions of the recorded spatial audio of a given real-world scenario versus a synthesized auralization of the same scenario, the quality of the models can be evaluated in terms of human perception. This paper presents a methodology to select and virtually model real-world urban scenarios for validation of air traffic auralization tools in an urban environment. First, the relevant principles behind a meaningful study case selection are proposed. Then, the necessary measurements for the definition of the virtual scenarios, and an optimized workflow for data gathering, are presented. The inner city of Naples, Italy, provides the setting for this study due to its proximity to Naples-Capodichino International airport (NAP).