Visual analysis of environmental noise data

Abstract

Smart cities generate a large amount of information that, if used properly, can help improve people's quality of life, while providing environmental support. Decreasing pollution generated by noise, is a prevailing concern, in today's society. A group of experts has collected data in different areas of l'Escaldes-Engordany, in Andorra. These areas have been separated according to traffic policies, i.e., the fully pedestrian ones, the fully vehicular ones, and the combined ones. Analyzing the resulting data may be a complex task, where optimal tools are not available; hence, we have developed a visualization application that allows comparisons and analysis. The main purpose is to improve the conditions in decision making, by having accurate information so that policymakers may have a better understanding of how different transit levels configure the noise landscape, and how contrasting sounds are distributed throughout time. To achieve this, we have developed a visualization application that allows overviewing, detailed individual analysis, and comparative views to parameterize the results of the policies adopted and be in a better position to improve them.