Interior vehicle noise varies with traffic speed and source type
Evaluation of Acoustic Noise Level and Impulsiveness Inside Vehicles in Different Traffic Conditions
Networking and Internet Architecture
Summary
Sounds inside cars can be louder or softer depending on how busy the roads are and how fast traffic is moving. The researchers measured these sounds using a small computer and microphone. They found that when traffic flows smoothly, the noise inside is louder, but if traffic is slower, the noise has more sudden sharp bursts. The main noises come from the car itself and how it moves. This helps us understand what causes different kinds of sounds inside cars.
What this means in practice
- •For automotive engineers: Design vehicle interiors that account for noise impulsiveness and varying noise levels under different traffic conditions.
- •For urban planners: Assess how traffic speed affects vehicle interior noise to inform traffic flow and road design decisions.
Authors
Daniel Flor, Danilo Pena, Hyago Lucas Oliveira, Luan Pena, Vicente A. de Sousa,, Allan Martins
Abstract
Recently, the issue of sound quality inside vehicles has attracted interest from both researchers and industry alike due to health concerns and also to increase the appeal of vehicles to consumers. This work extends the analysis of interior acoustic noise inside a vehicle under several conditions by comparing measured power levels and two different models for acoustic noise, namely the Gaussian and the alpha-stable distributions. Noise samples were collected in a scenario with real traffic patterns using a measurement setup composed of a Raspberry Pi Board and a microphone strategically positioned. The analysis of the acquired data shows that the observed noise levels are higher when traffic conditions are good. Additionally, the interior noise presented considerable impulsiveness, which tends to be more severe when traffic is slower. Finally, our results suggest that noise sources related to the vehicle itself and its movement are the most relevant ones in the composition of the interior acoustic noise.