A new mobile application helps scientists map the sound environment

Anyone who owns an Android smartphone will soon be able to contribute to a research project, simply by recording surrounding noise. The purpose is to establish a participatory map of the sound environment. The NoiseCapture application, which was developed by researchers from the CNRS and IFSTTAR¹, uses signal processing algorithms to calculate acoustic indicators during the user's trips. These geolocated indicators are then anonymously stored in a database to develop noise maps that reflect reality as closely as possible, with extremely dense connections. These noise maps obtained with the help of smartphones could be used by local governments to implement more targeted plans of action for preserving or improving the quality of urban sound environments. The NoiseCapture application, which was developed within the framework of the ENERGIC-OD² European project, is a participatory project that brings together specialists in environmental acoustics and geographic information, thereby enabling researchers to address major issues such as interoperability or the qualification and handling of data from various sources (noise level, cadastral data, statistical data on populations…). In fact, the NoiseCapture application is accompanied by a comprehensive information system that can store, query, and share the collected data.