Comparative UAV Noise-Impact Assessments through Survey and Noise Measurements

Jurica Ivošević, Emir Ganić, Antonio Petošić and Tomislav Radišić
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Jurica Ivošević: Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, 4 Vukelićeva Street, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Emir Ganić: Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 305 Vojvode Stepe Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Antonio Petošić: Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, 3 Unska Street, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Radišić: Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, 4 Vukelićeva Street, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: Possibilities to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly growing. With the development of battery technologies, communication, navigation, surveillance, and autonomous systems in general, many UAVs are expected to operate at relatively low altitudes. Thus, the problem of UAV noise impact on human health and well-being will be more pronounced. In this paper, we conducted noise measurements of two UAVs of different performance (quadrotor and hexarotor) in flying up and down, hovering, and overflight procedures. Respondents of good hearing who were confirmed by audiogram measurement and had participated in the survey during UAV noise measurement gave their subjective assessments on the UAV noise perception. UAV noise measurements and subjective respondents’ assessments were analysed and related. UAV noise analysis showed that the parameters measured at the same measurement point for the hexarotor were higher than those for the quadrotor in flying up and down and flying-over procedures. Low frequency noise was present in the noise spectrum of both drones. Participants were able to distinguish between the noise of UAVs and had a generally more negative experience with the hexarotor. Regardless of the noise perception, more than 80% of the respondents believe there are more pros than cons for UAV introduction into everyday life.

Keywords: drones; noise sources; public health; noise annoyance; public acceptance; UAV; noise measurement; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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