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This paper will discuss the use of psychoacoustic evaluation as a tool for optimization of the soundscape simulator developed in the Listen project. The listen project is a three-year research project focused around developing a demonstrator, which auralizes the sound environment produced by road and railway traffic. The resolution of the parameter space of the simulator heavily influences the performance of the simulator. The perceptual resolution of the parameter space is investigated and the resolution is adjusted accordingly. The most important parameter is velocity. Adjustments of the resolution of this parameter alone gives a 60% reduction of the usage of memory., QC 20140827

The research question is: “How to develop and apply acoustic artifacts and design methodologies for improving soundscapes in urban outdoor spaces?” In the project, this research question is limited to two specific types of urban outdoor spaces – city-park and city-square – and to two types of acoustic design artifacts. These are: I. Dynamic promotion of qualitative site specific sounds (e.g., the overall site specific sonic atmosphere, sounds from activities, birds and fountains), which creates an improved soundscape. II. Sound-art installations, that creates delimited auditory sub-spaces within the park/square. The purpose and method is: 1. To provide two case-studies of artistic soundscape improvement, one in a noise polluted city-park and one in a city-square. The case-studies will serve as models for future applications of the new acoustic design artifacts. 2. To create and validate an innovative acoustic design methodology based on state-of-the-art real-time acoustic simulation tools integrated into the design process. The methodology will be validated in psychoacoustic listening experiments and field studies. 3. To determine the potential of the two acoustic design artifacts (I Dynamic promotion of qualitative site specific sounds, and II Sound-art installations) for providing pleasant and restorative soundscapes, in order to strengthening the social interaction as well as the spatial and aesthetical qualities in noise polluted city parks/squares.