Abstract:
Inhabitants' reaction to outdoor noise in Nagoya and in Beijing was surveyed. A questionnaire on noise was conducted with more than 2000 people in Nagoya and more than 1000 in Beijing. They were also asked whether they were sensitive to each of the 37 types of noise sources. The responses of inhabitants to the above questionnaire in Beijing are more sensitive than those in Nagoya to loudness, annoyance, and sleep disturbance. Road traffic noise is the most audible of 37 noise sources in both cities. Sounds of fireworks and sounds from festivals are also highly audible in Beijing. The most annoying noise is one from motorcycle gangs in both cities, and one from construction in Beijing. The annoyance rates in Beijing are higher than those in Nagoya.