Study of pleasantness maps and perceived predominant sound sources in a university campus soundscape analysis

The soundscape within a University campus is very complex, covering different environments, such as quiet areas to enhance focus during work and study sessions, parking lots, internal road networks, but also vibrant spaces for leisure purposes. These aspects depict University campuses as a perfect example for exploring complex soundscape analyses, and innovative methodologies for its assessment and mapping. This study presents and explores field data regarding the soundscape in selected points of the Fisciano campus of the University of Salerno (Italy) collected during a soundwalk, as well as pleasantness data obtained in crowdsourcing mode during NoiseCapture parties in the campus area. The soundwalk has been performed according to the ISO 12913, while the crowdsourced data was gathered using the NoiseCapture app. Maps of the soundscape pleasantness have been obtained using an interpolation approach on the crowdsourced data, validated on the soundwalk results and merged with the land use and facility map, to investigate the main role of sound sources in the soundscape's pleasantness rating. The results have been also compared with the predominance rated during the soundwalk. By comparing physical parameters, pleasantness data, and perceptual aspects, this study offers interesting insights on the complex soundscape of the university setting.