RESEARCH

The Acoustics and Electroacoustics Laboratory is currently engaged in three research projects, in cooperation with other organizations:

 

1. Acoustic characterization of the City of Rosario

This project has been approved and sponsored by the National University of Rosario (UNR) through the PID 202 program, under the general title "Urban qulity of life. Noise pollution. Characterization of the City of Rosario". It is a joint project with the Faculty of Architecture of the National University of Rosario (UNR) and with the Escuela Técnica Superior del Vallès, Polytechnic University of Catalunya (UPC).

The project aims at two things. First, an acoustic characterization of the city of Rosario will be obtained, with direct applicaytions to the assessment of the acoustic impact of any urban planning activity to be carried out by the Nubicipality or the City Council. Second, a general method to obtain a predictive noise map will be developed

The traditional approach to noise mapping has two drawbacks: the large investment that is needed, particularly because of the need of a fairly large and competent task force, and the quick obsolescence of the results, due to changes imposed by the evolution of several urban variables (traffic, new dwellings or shopping centers, etc.)

The method to develop is based on the identification of relevant acoustic variables of which noise depends which can be obtained in a simple way, either from already existing data (for instance from geographic information systems) or from field work by non-expert personnel (such as vehicle count and classification). With this in mind, a relatively small amount of representative points are selected in order to carry out an intensive measuring campaign. Finally, results are extrapolated to other points with similar characteristics. If the evolution of those variables in time can be known or estimated, it is possible to predict future noise levels.

Some preliminary results have been already communicated in different congresses, symposiums, and conferences:

 

2. Digital simulation of urban traffic noise

This research is part of another project sponsored by the National University of Rosario (UNR) through the PID 202 program. Its aim is to obtain a computational model for urban traffic noise simulation on a personal computer as a function of different data.

This model, known as the TRANSRUIDO package, is based on algorithms of 3D-ray-tracing acoustics which allow to get the sound pressure level and other descriptors in a given receiving location from the knowledge of building and street geometry and source features. This physical model is then combined with a stochastic model of traffic taking into account the trajectory, the speed profile and the traffic composition.

This package will allow to compute the sound field distribution at balconies, galleries, etc., which will be very useful as an experimentation tool in order to assess the acoustic impact of planned dwellings or rights of way.

Some preliminary results as well as the principles of the method have been presented in the Primer Seminario Provial Urbano, realizado en abril de 1998 en Rosario, organized by the Instituto de Estudios del Transporte, of the FCEIA, UNR (Miyara, F., "TRANSRUIDO: Simulación digital del ruido del tránsito urbano")

 

3. Methods for teaching and spreading information on Sound Hygiene

This research is carried out with a grant of the Subsecretariat of Culture of the Province of Santa Fe (Argentina). Its objective is to develop a teaching and learning methodology for spreading information and attitudes regarding Sound Hygiene, from an individual and social point of view.

In order to accomplish this, children will be asked to do homework involving not only themselves but their own family. The idea is to iduce them to get acquainted with different aspects of sound hygiene. Children will play thus the role of information spreading agents. This will allow a faster correction of one of the causes of noise pollution: the lack of knowledge.

Two questionaires will be used as a means of assessing the success of the methodology. The first one will show the initial state of knowledge about noise pollution, its causes, effects and solutions. The second one will reveal the final state. A comparison between them will establish the degree of success.

The foundations of the methodology are developed in extent in a paper presented in the First Meeting of Research on childhood and adolescence, the Children's Rights International Convention and Social Practices, organized by the University of Buenos Aires and held in October, 1997: Miyara, F., Gómez, M. V., Flores, M. S., Lorenzo, Lorena, "Teaching Sound Hygiene at School". Further information may be found reading the document (in Spanish) "Estrategias para extender la acción escolar al grupo familiar en educación ambiental".

School teachers interested in this research are especially invited to take part in it and join our team, which is already constitued by several teachers from different places. Please, send a message by e-mail to the address listed below.

 

E-mail: fmiyara@fceia.unr.edu.ar
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