Editorial — Acoustics & Vibration Journal nº 55

Abstract

It is with great pleasure that the Editorial Board of the Acoustics & Vibration Journal presents its fifty-fifth edition (Volume 38). In this issue, we renew our commitment to excellence and to the dissemination of knowledge in the field of acoustics, bringing together research that addresses fundamental questions surrounding soundscapes, noise perception, and acoustic control techniques.

Issue 55 features a broad range of approaches to the study of sound and its implications. Especially noteworthy are the articles stemming from the 14th International Seminar NUTAU 2022: Urban Soundscape (which also underwent peer review), in addition to an official translation of a paper from the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, included at the end of this volume.

The first article, by Andrade and Michalski, examines current uses of the term "soundscape" within Brazilian academia. Their research analyzes the lack of standardization in translating and referencing foundational concepts, which in turn affects interdisciplinary integration and the development of the field in Brazil.

Next, Maciel, Engel, and Zannin discuss the historical evolution and limitations of soundscape studies in urban parks in Curitiba (state of Paraná, Brazil). Their comprehensive review of research conducted at the Environmental Acoustics Laboratory provides insight into the urban and methodological challenges inherent in such studies.

Fernandes, Zannin, Valencio, and da Costa explore the relationship between railway sound and phonophobia. Their article investigates the annoyance generated by railway traffic from the perspective of a "risk society" and environmental rights, underscoring the need for regulation and more in-depth socioacoustic studies.

Soares, Giner, Brites, and coauthors analyze different interventions aimed at controlling highway noise. Using computational modeling, they evaluate solutions such as acoustic barriers, traffic speed reductions, and restrictions on freight vehicles, offering guidelines for urban noise mitigation policies.

Klein and Michalski present a quantitative and qualitative characterization of the soundscape in Bixiga, a traditional neighborhood of São Paulo (SP, Brazil). Their investigation into the area’s history and sonic identity elucidates the cultural and urban impact of sound on the local landscape.

Oliveira, Oliveira, and Vergara analyze the remembered soundscape of the Bebedouro neighborhood (Maceió-AL, Brazil), affected by a socio-environmental disaster. Their study recovers the characteristic sounds of the area prior to its evacuation and explores the impact of losing these sonic elements on community identity and memory.

Peixoto, Ferreira, Klein, Michalski, and Monteiro examine how soundscapes influence work, leisure, and rest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on questionnaire data, the research reveals changes in sound perception and the impact of noise on well-being during periods of social restrictions.

Weitbrecht, Monteiro, Jardim, and coauthors propose an approach grounded in low-cost sound monitoring systems and artificial intelligence to assess leisure noise in urban environments.

Finally, Fonseca presents an overview of Acoustical Engineering education in Brazil. Based on an original publication in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (2022), the article details the curriculum at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) and its contribution to training professionals in this field.

This fifty-fifth issue includes five exclusive inserts published in multiple languages with the goal of expanding the reach and accessibility of our content. We begin with a review of four books in the acoustics field, offered in two language versions. Following this, we include a guide to scientific writing of articles in LaTeX and Overleaf—previously published in Portuguese and English—now supplemented by a Spanish version. Lastly, we share key developments from International Noise Awareness Day (INAD Brasil 2023), available in four different languages, underscoring the growing international scope of this campaign.

In the News & Reviews section, we feature two important event reports: the 14th International Seminar NUTAU 2022: Urban Soundscape, whose papers appear in this issue (available in two languages), and the traditional XXX Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Acoustics, held in Natal (RN, Brazil) in 2024, published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Both events reinforce the importance of discussing acoustic-related topics in varied contexts, enriching the exchange of experiences and knowledge.

Finally, in our calls for participation, we invite everyone to take part in several important activities: the 40th Anniversary Meeting of Sobrac, to be held in São Paulo (SP, Brazil); the XIII Ibero-American Congress on Acoustics, set to take place in Santiago, Chile, in 2024; and, additionally, we encourage new members to join Sobrac. We hope this edition—marked by thematic and linguistic diversity—will further the advancement of knowledge in acoustics and stimulate the active engagement of our community in future events and publications.

Throughout these pages, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting research in acoustics, vibrations, and related areas. We extend our gratitude to the authors, reviewers, and contributors who have made yet another high-quality edition possible, thereby advancing the body of knowledge in our field.

Enjoy your reading!

Sincerely,

Editors Acoustics & Vibration Journal
Issue No. 55, December 2023.