Model-based imputation of sound level data at thoroughfare using computational intelligence

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the paper was to present the methodology of imputation of the missing sound level data, for a period of several months, in many noise monitoring stations located at thoroughfares by applying one model which describes variability of sound level within the tested period. To build the model, at first the proper set of input attributes was elaborated, and training dataset was prepared using recorded equivalent sound levels at one of thoroughfares. Sound level values in the training data were calculated separately for the following 24-hour sub-intervals: day (6–18), evening (18–22) and night (22–6). Next, a computational intelligence approach, called Random Forest was applied to build the model with the aid of Weka software. Later, the scaling functions were elaborated, and the obtained Random Forest model was used to impute data at two other locations in the same city, using these scaling functions. The statistical analysis of the sound levels at the abovementioned locations during the whole year, before and after imputation, was carried out.