Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Audio Cartography: Visual Encoding of Acoustic
Parameters
A.-L. Kornfeld
1
, J. Schiewe
1
, J. Dykes
2
1
g2lab, HafenCity University Hamburg, Germany
anna-iena.kornfeld@hcu-hamburg.de
2
giCentre, City University London, United Kingdom
Abstract
Our sonic environment is the matter of subject in multiple domains which
developed individual means of its description. As a result, it lacks an
established visual language through which knowledge can be connected
and insights shared. We provide a visual communication framework for
the systematic and coherent documentation of sound in large-scale
environments. This consists of visual encodings and mappings of acoustic
parameters into distinct graphic variables that present plausible solutions
for the visualization of sound. These candidate encodings are assembled
into an application-independent, multifunctional, and extensible design
guide. We apply the guidelines and show example maps that acts as a basis
for the exploration of audio cartography.
1- Background and Objectives
Human, cultural, and environmental sciences are concerned with the
effects of sound in urban environments. They examine medical and social
problems of acoustic immission caused by increasing transportation and
industrial production. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO)
documents several direct relationships between constant noise nuisance
and medical or psychological damage, such as hearing impairment or high
blood pressure (WHO 2009). In the political arena, the European Union
(EU) released the directive 2002/49/EC (END) to attend to the expanding
