A Psychoacoustic Approach to Building Knowledge about Human Response to Noise of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

We are on the cusp of a revolution in aviation sector, driven by significant progress electric power and battery technologies, autonomous systems. Several industry leaders governmental agencies currently investigating use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or “drones” as commonly known, for an ever-growing number applications—from blue light services to parcel delivery urban mobility. Undoubtedly, operation UAVs will lead noise exposure, which has potential become public health issue. This paper first describes main acoustic operational characteristics UAVs, unconventional source compared conventional civil aircraft. Gaps literature regulations metrics acceptable levels identified discussed. The state-of-the-art evidence human response aircraft other environmental sources is reviewed its application A methodological framework proposed building psychoacoustic knowledge, inform systems operations development limit impact communities.