Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

To explore subjective response to road traffic noise in rural areas (characterised by low ambient sound levels) and compare the results with subjective response arising from more commonly studied urban and suburban areas.

Main Topics:

Variables Subjective responses to most sounds comprising the total sound environment were explored. Sounds created inside and outside the home were considered. Respondents were given the opportunity to express positive feelings (liking) towards particular sounds as well as indifference and negative feelings (disliking).

Ten villages within easy reach of Southampton were selected purposively to reflect different sound environments. Blocks of dwellings were selected within each band, and households within the bands randomly selected. At each household, one adult (18+) was selected at random for the interview

Face-to-face interview