Involving the Public in Noise Surveys via Mobile Technology

The IMPRINtS project (Internet and Mobile technologies for a Public Role In Noise Surveying) aims to enable and encourage public participation in a large-scale environmental noise survey. The primary objective of this work is to raise public awareness of the science of environmental noise and the impact of soundscapes on the quality of life. The term soundscapes describes differing acoustic environments, which each of us is subjected to throughout our lives. It is suggested that these soundscapes play an important part in our lives; making us feel comfortable, productive, happy or uneasy and distracted. Soundscapes also provide the contextual references that contribute to our feelings of belonging and place. The soundscapes we inhabit can be perceived as a welcome hustle and bustle or as a noise nuisance. Creating the most appropriate soundscape is a challenge for the planning, development and construction of spaces and impacts on how we, as individuals, choose to spend each day. The increased engagement of the public in themes that the project aims to foster, will act as a driver for better urban planning, construction and development.