{"title":"Predictive models for urgency perception in railway crossing alarm signals: Development and applications for Argentina","authors":"Iván Kaspierowicz, Shin-ichi Sato","doi":"10.1016/j.apacoust.2025.110926","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study develops predictive models for the perceived urgency of railway crossing alarm signals, focusing on both frequency and temporal variables. Two subjective tests using incomplete pairwise comparison matrices are conducted to evaluate the effects of these variables. In the first test, pitch and harmonic attenuation are examined as frequency-related factors, while in the second test, speed and attack time are assessed as temporal factors. For each test, nine synthetic alarm signals are generated based on the alarm sounds used in Buenos Aires. The results demonstrate that all four variables significantly influence perceived urgency, with temporal variables exerting a stronger effect than frequency variables. Multiple regression analyses reveal that higher harmonic amplitudes and increased pitch enhance perceived urgency, with harmonic attenuation playing a more dominant role. Similarly, faster speeds and shorter attack times heighten perceived urgency, with nearly equal contributions from both variables. Based on these findings, the study proposes optimized alarm configurations to maximize perceived urgency while adhering to Argentinean regulations. These insights highlight opportunities for improved alarm design to enhance safety at railway crossings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Acoustics","volume":"240 ","pages":"Article 110926"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Acoustics","FirstCategoryId":"101","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003682X25003986","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ACOUSTICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study develops predictive models for the perceived urgency of railway crossing alarm signals, focusing on both frequency and temporal variables. Two subjective tests using incomplete pairwise comparison matrices are conducted to evaluate the effects of these variables. In the first test, pitch and harmonic attenuation are examined as frequency-related factors, while in the second test, speed and attack time are assessed as temporal factors. For each test, nine synthetic alarm signals are generated based on the alarm sounds used in Buenos Aires. The results demonstrate that all four variables significantly influence perceived urgency, with temporal variables exerting a stronger effect than frequency variables. Multiple regression analyses reveal that higher harmonic amplitudes and increased pitch enhance perceived urgency, with harmonic attenuation playing a more dominant role. Similarly, faster speeds and shorter attack times heighten perceived urgency, with nearly equal contributions from both variables. Based on these findings, the study proposes optimized alarm configurations to maximize perceived urgency while adhering to Argentinean regulations. These insights highlight opportunities for improved alarm design to enhance safety at railway crossings.
期刊介绍:
Since its launch in 1968, Applied Acoustics has been publishing high quality research papers providing state-of-the-art coverage of research findings for engineers and scientists involved in applications of acoustics in the widest sense.
Applied Acoustics looks not only at recent developments in the understanding of acoustics but also at ways of exploiting that understanding. The Journal aims to encourage the exchange of practical experience through publication and in so doing creates a fund of technological information that can be used for solving related problems. The presentation of information in graphical or tabular form is especially encouraged. If a report of a mathematical development is a necessary part of a paper it is important to ensure that it is there only as an integral part of a practical solution to a problem and is supported by data. Applied Acoustics encourages the exchange of practical experience in the following ways: • Complete Papers • Short Technical Notes • Review Articles; and thereby provides a wealth of technological information that can be used to solve related problems.
Manuscripts that address all fields of applications of acoustics ranging from medicine and NDT to the environment and buildings are welcome.