Prediction models for soundscape attributes: A meta-analysis of psychoacoustic parameters in built environments

Evaluating the human pleasantness to soundscape attribute is essential for urban design, and psychoacoustics is an emerging method for assessing the effects of acoustic environments on human perceptions of sounds. Although ISO 12913-3 standard provided the guidelines for the soundscape attribute measurements, it is difficult to establish a prediction model without gathering subjective data from people in various public spaces. Moreover, the development of a synthesized prediction model is challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of the evaluation methods in individual studies. This paper aims to conduct a meta-analysis predicting the subjective soundscape scores by given psychoacoustic parameters. The process of systematic literature review identified 30 eligible studies that employed psychoacoustic parameters and soundscape attributes. The meta-analysis of soundscape attribute predictions integrated the data from the 24 eligible studies and generated two synthesized models. A unidimensional pleasantness model is developed to predict the pure pleasantness P in acoustic studies. The soundscape attributes models are established to predict soundscape pleasantness (ISOP) and eventfulness (ISOE) as defined by ISO 12913-3, which consists of four psychoacoustic metrics and the interaction effects. This study will provide a prospective approach to understanding psychoacoustic parameters and soundscape attributes for future research in various built environments.