The Masking Effects of Introducing Sounds about Road Traffic Noise

도로교통소음에 대한 도입 연출음의 마스킹 효과

This paper describes a experimental study determining the effects of the type and loudness of introducing sounds on the amenity and the masking degree of background noise. 132 relative test sounds with 11 types of introducing sounds and 3 steps of road traffic noise were presented to 29 subjects through headphone in the laboratory experiment. Seven scale of polar adjective such as 'Strong Weak', 'Pleasant Unpleasant', 'Clear Unclear', 'Suitable Unsuitable', 'Comfortable-Discomfortable' was employed for the evaluation of amenity. And Seven scale of mono polar adjective such as 'Very-Not at all' was employed for the evaluation of masking degree against road traffic noise. The results are as follows; Green music was evaluated the highest amenity among test sounds and murmurs of a stream, signal music, song of a bird, crying of insect was showed the amenity rank of order. The softer and weaker introducing sound was evaluated more suitable and comfortable under the road traffic noise. So adequate level of introducing sounds was considered for the desirable urban soundscape. Also the louder sounds compared to background noises had greater masking effects. But similar levels of introducing sounds were recommended considering both good amenity and masking effects.