ISO TS 12913-2-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO TS 12913-2-2018 — Acoustics — Soundscape — Part 2: Data collection and reporting requirements. This Technical Specification defines recommended procedures, protocols and reporting templates for collecting and recording data in soundscape studies, addressing perceptual, acoustic and contextual information to ensure consistency and comparability across investigations.

Abstract

This Technical Specification specifies requirements and supporting information for the collection and reporting of data used in soundscape studies, investigations and applications. It harmonizes how information on the three key components — people (perceptual responses), the acoustic environment (physical and psychoacoustic measurements) and context (visual, temporal and functional setting) — is obtained, measured and documented. The document includes recommended questionnaires and interview protocols, measurement protocols (including binaural recordings), lists of acoustic and psychoacoustic indicators and guidance on metadata and reporting.

General information

• Status: Published (Technical Specification)
• Publication date: 12 August 2018
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 17.140.01 (Acoustic measurements and noise abatement in general)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018)
• Number of pages: 32

Scope

ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 provides methodologies for data collection and reporting in soundscape investigations. It covers in-situ and recorded/virtual environments and applies to field studies and laboratory reproductions where soundscape perception is assessed. The scope includes protocols for perceptual data collection (questionnaires, interviews and observations), procedures for acoustic and psychoacoustic measurement (including binaural recording techniques), required contextual metadata (site description, time of day/year, visual context, participant selection), and template information required for transparent reporting of results.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized protocols for perceptual data collection: recommended questionnaires and interview formats (Methods A, B for soundwalk/on-site surveys and Method C for narrative interviews).
• Reporting requirements for the three key components: people (demographics, perceptual descriptors), acoustic environment (measurement methods, indicators) and context (site, visual setting, activities).
• Acoustic and psychoacoustic indicators to report: equivalent continuous levels (LAeq), percentile levels (LAF5, LAF95 etc.), C-weighted metrics, loudness metrics and other psychoacoustic measures as appropriate.
• Binaural measurement and recording guidance: protocol elements such as measurement points, height and orientation, equipment calibration, atmospheric conditions and documentation for playback or analysis.
• Guidance on non-participatory observations where appropriate (behavioural measures such as movement, occupation time, interactions).
• Metadata and reporting templates: required contextual information (time/date, site type, sound source taxonomy, measurement intervals and instrumentation) to enable reproducibility and comparability.
• Annex material providing recommended question items, taxonomy for sound sources, psychoacoustic indicator definitions and measurement examples.

Typical use and users

Used by researchers in acoustics and environmental psychology, urban planners, environmental consultants, soundscape practitioners, designers of public space, heritage professionals and policy-makers. Typical applications include field soundwalks, park and plaza assessments, impact evaluations of urban redevelopment, design-led assessments for quiet or pleasant soundscapes, and reproducible studies that combine physical measurements with human perceptual data.

Related standards

Key related documents in the ISO 12913 series and other acoustics standards include ISO 12913-1 (2014) — Acoustics — Soundscape — Part 1: Definition and conceptual framework; ISO/TS 12913-3 (data analysis guidance, originally published as a TS in 2019 with later revisions); and other acoustics standards referenced for physical indicators such as the ISO 1996 series (environmental noise descriptors) and IEC/ISO references for weighting and loudness calculations (e.g., ISO 532 for loudness measurement).

Keywords

soundscape, acoustics, data collection, binaural recording, perceptual assessment, questionnaires, loudness, LAeq, psychoacoustics, context, sound source taxonomy, reporting requirements

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 is a Technical Specification that defines recommended methods and reporting requirements for collecting data in soundscape studies, covering perceptual, acoustic and contextual information.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures for conducting soundwalks and on-site surveys, interview protocols, non-participatory observations, binaural and other acoustic measurements, lists of acoustic and psychoacoustic indicators to record, and the contextual metadata required for transparent reporting and comparison of soundscape studies.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Acousticians, researchers in environmental psychology and urban design, environmental consultants, soundscape practitioners, public space designers, heritage managers and policy-makers involved in planning or assessing acoustic environments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published in August 2018 as Edition 1 (Technical Specification). It is a TS (not an International Standard), and it is treated as the reference for data collection in the ISO 12913 soundscape series; users should check whether any later revisions or related parts (for example, the data analysis part of the series) have been updated when planning work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO 12913 soundscape series. Part 1 provides the definition and conceptual framework (ISO 12913-1:2014) and Part 3 provides guidance on data analysis; together these parts form a people-centred framework for soundscape research and practice.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: soundscape, perceptual assessment, data collection, binaural recording, acoustic indicators, psychoacoustics, questionnaires, soundwalk, context, reporting.