Noise Tracker

Description of Noise Tracker: A Comprehensive Sound Meter Application

Noise Tracker is a powerful sound meter application designed to monitor noise levels in real-time. Developed by young researchers at the CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in Nagpur, India, the Noise Tracker app aims to raise awareness about noise pollution. This innovative app leverages the built-in microphone of smartphones to accurately measure environmental noise levels (in decibels) and provide users with an immediate visual representation of these readings.

Key Features of Noise Tracker

The Noise Tracker app offers a variety of features that make it an indispensable tool for anyone interested in monitoring noise levels. These include:

• Gauge Indicators: Both analog and digital gauges indicate decibel levels.
• Quick Response: The app quickly reacts to changes in sound levels.
• Current Noise Reference: Displays the current noise level being measured.
• Detailed Metrics: Shows Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Equivalent Continuous Sound Level (Leq), minimum and maximum decibel values, and elapsed time of decibel readings.
• Data Storage: Users can store sound meter data along with GPS coordinates directly on their phone.
• Data Visualization: Saved data can be reviewed in table form or plotted on a map for better understanding.
• Sharing Options: Easily share collected data across multiple platforms like Gmail, WhatsApp, etc.
• Sound Calculator: Includes functions for sound addition, Day-Night Average Sound Level (Ldn), and barrier attenuation calculations.

Usage Guidelines

To ensure accurate measurements, it's important to follow some basic guidelines when using the Noise Tracker app:

• Ensure the smartphone microphone is not obstructed.
• Hold the smartphone in hand during measurements; avoid keeping it in your pocket.
• Avoid creating noise near the back of the smartphone while monitoring.
• Maintain a safe distance from noise sources to prevent potential harm.

Important Notes

While the Noise Tracker app is a valuable resource for monitoring noise levels, it should be noted that it is not a professional device. The microphones in most Android devices are primarily calibrated for human speech, which limits the maximum values they can accurately capture. Sounds louder than approximately 90 dB may not be recognized by most devices. Therefore, the app should be used as an auxiliary tool rather than a definitive measurement device. For highly precise decibel measurements, a dedicated sound level meter is recommended.

In summary, Noise Tracker is an essential app for those concerned about noise pollution, offering a suite of features designed to help users monitor and understand their environment's acoustic conditions.