Measurement of Individuals' Emotional Stress Responses to Construction Noise through Analysis of Human Brain Waves

Construction noise is among the most critical stressors that adversely affect the quality of life of the people residing near construction sites. Many countries strictly regulate construction noise based on sound pressure levels, as well as timeslots and type of construction equipment. However, individuals react differently to noise, and their tolerance to noise levels varies, which should be considered when regulating construction noise. Although studies have attempted to analyze individuals' stress responses to construction noise, the lack of quantitative methods to measure stress has limited our understanding of individuals' stress responses to noise. Therefore, the authors proposed a quantitative stress measurement framework with a wearable electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor to decipher human brain wave patterns caused by diverse construction stressors (e.g., worksite hazards). This present study extends this framework to investigate the feasibility of using the wearable EEG sensor to measure individuals' emotional stress responses to construction noise in a laboratory setting. EEG data were collected from three subjects exposed to different construction noises (e.g., tonal vs. impulsive noises, different sound pressure levels) recorded at real construction sites. Simultaneously, the subjects' perceived stress levels against these noises were measured. The results indicate that the wearable EEG sensor can help understand diverse individuals' stress responses to nearby construction noises. This research provides a more quantitative means for measuring the impact of the noise generated at a construction site on neighboring communities, which can help frame more reasonable construction noise regulations that consider various types of residents in urban areas.