Noise Map: eine kartografische Visualisierung für Daten erhoben durch die Noise-O-Meter Applikation

This thesis utilizes the possibilities of informatics in order to shed light on noise pollution in everyday life. The main focus is on a prototype which enables people to record and relate to their individual noise exposure. It consists of a mobile sensor component (Noise-O-Meter), a central server component as well as a cartographic visualization (Noise Map). The Noise Map is a web map which displays noise measurements and offers interaction for data exploration. The realization of this prototype proves the feasibility of a noise map filled with data collected by individuals (participatory sensing). Thereby the project examines the question if the limitations of conventional noise maps can be overcome by this concept. An iterative process of extensive literature research as well as analysis of related projects led to a software concept. Based on this concept the prototype consisting of three components was realized. Those components are a sensor component for data collection, a server component for data handling with a standardized API and a cartographic visualization, the noise map, in order to present the data. System tests and an evaluation in which participants collected noise measurements with their smartphones and finally explored them on the map led to improvements in usability as well as readability. The realized prototype proves that noise visualization from the perspective of pedestrians by participatory sensing is feasible and has the potential to visualize individual noise exposure.