Comparative UAV Noise-Impact Assessments through Survey and Noise Measurements

Area of Science:

• Environmental acoustics
• Human-computer interaction

Background:

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used at low altitudes, raising concerns about noise pollution.
• The impact of UAV noise on human health and well-being requires thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and analyze the acoustic characteristics of different UAVs (quadrotor and hexarotor).
• To assess human subjective perception and reaction to UAV noise during various flight operations.
• To correlate objective noise measurements with subjective human responses.

Main Methods:

• Conducted in-situ noise measurements for quadrotor and hexarotor UAVs during ascent, descent, hovering, and overflight maneuvers.
• Recruited participants with audiometrically confirmed normal hearing for subjective noise assessments.
• Analyzed noise data (e.g., sound pressure levels, frequency spectrum) and compared it with participant feedback.

Main Results:

• Hexarotor drones generated higher noise levels than quadrotor drones during ascent, descent, and overflight.
• Low-frequency noise components were identified in the acoustic spectrum of both UAV types.
• Participants could differentiate between drone noises and reported a more negative experience with hexarotor noise.

Conclusions:

• UAV noise levels and characteristics vary significantly between different drone types and flight conditions.
• Subjective perception of UAV noise is influenced by factors such as drone type, with hexarotors perceived more negatively.
• Despite noise concerns, a majority of respondents recognize the overall benefits of integrating UAVs into daily life.