How Does Tomorrow Sound?

We recorded the sound of various locations in Stuttgart (Residential Area, Schlossplatz, Ostendplatz, B14 Neckartorbrücke) with our 3D microphone setup in order to be able to analyze the current acoustic state. Based on this, we have developed a future scenario for every location. Quantity and timing of road users was maintained, only the way of mobility was adapted to possible future scenarios.

The future scenarios are based on scientific research. However, much of it can only be speculated on how the city of the future will really sound. When recording and analyzing the actual conditions, we noticed that the noise of the internal combustion engines in particular contributes significantly to the urban soundscape. Above all, the prominent „humming noise“ in the range of approximately 60-120 Hertz of internal combustion engines will decrease significantly after a measurement of the Fraunhofer Institute for building physics with electric motors [2]. In view of this, it is likely that by increasing the occurrence of electric motors in a future city, the general noise level becomes somewhat quieter. The tire and wind noise, which characterize the noise at high speeds (highway, main road), will remain the same for electric mobility, which is why in these places the general noise level hardly changes. [2] However, what could change is a reduction in start-up and deceleration noise, as traffic through networked systems becomes more efficient, resulting in less congestion potential. [3]

In addition to e-cars drones will be tested from 2050, from 2070 they will then start the operation in cities from 600,000 inhabitants. These fly with four large rotors or many small propellers and will eventually land on skyscraper roofs or parking decks. [4]

Electric scooters and Segways will increasingly be on bike paths on the road [5], the latter being much better developed and therefore also increases the bicycle traffic. [6]

As urban noise is increasingly combated and subdued, other sources of noise, such as fountains or church bells, will become more apparent in the future. [7] The reduced permanent level creates living space for greater animal diversity, which can now communicate with each other again. [8]