Andy Chung

Noise in restaurants: levels and mathematical model.

Noise affects the dining atmosphere and is an occupational hazard to restaurant service employees worldwide. This paper examines the levels of noise in dining areas during peak hours in different types of restaurants in Hong Kong SAR, China. A mathematical model that describes the noise level in a restaurant is presented. The 1-h equivalent continuous noise level (L(eq,1-h)) was measured using a Type-1 precision integral sound level meter while the occupancy density, the floor area of the dining area, and the ceiling height of each of the surveyed restaurants were recorded. It was found that the measured noise levels using Leq,1-h ranged from 67.6 to 79.3 dBA in Chinese restaurants, from 69.1 to 79.1 dBA in fast food restaurants, and from 66.7 to 82.6 dBA in Western restaurants. Results of the analysis of variance show that there were no significant differences between means of the measured noise levels among different types of restaurants. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the relationships between geometrical and operational parameters and the measured noise levels. Results of the regression analysis show that the measured noise levels depended on the levels of occupancy density only. By reconciling the measured noise levels and the mathematical model, it was found that people in restaurants increased their voice levels when the occupancy density increased. Nevertheless, the maximum measured hourly noise level indicated that the noise exposure experienced by restaurant service employees was below the regulated daily noise exposure value level of 85 dBA.

Cloud Computing in China: Barriers and Potential

Many cities in China are seeking to establish cloud computing facilities for public and business services. However, despite large investments in the cloud, there are still several barriers to strategic cloud deployment in China.

Creating Green Awareness Using IT: The Case of Hong Kong

Creating green awareness through educational programs is crucial to the success of sustainable development. Several initiatives in Hong Kong use cloud technologies, online interactive games, competitions, and physical equipment to raise green awareness among high school students.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN HONG KONG SAR, CHINA USING WEB 2.0: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Web 2.0 has transformed the way people obtain, understand, analyse and respond to information from a broad range of sources. Users spend several hours a day to access the Web, browse their favourite sites and respond to invitations from friends and other people to participate in discussions that affect their social and business lives as well as their environmental conditions. In this regard, knowing how to promote public participation and engagement in the early stages of environmental impact assessment (EIA) as well as how to gain public acceptance in the consultation phase of an EIA using the Web is important. This study describes how Hong Kong government departments employ the Web to disseminate information and proposes methods for public engagement using Web 2.0 technologies.

Next generation soundscape design using virtual reality technologies

Sound quality has been demanded by the community as part of the smart city initiatives to enjoy a real liveable environment. While a lot of governments pay attention to environmental issues such as air quality and waste, those who care about the sonic environment still rely primarily quantitative levels for either compliance or improvement. Sound quality is most likely ignored. There is at present the international standard ISO 12913-1:2014 providing the definition and the conceptual framework of soundscape. Despite the situation, sound quality is a subjective matter after all and relies very much on human perceptions, as well as the contextual environment. Sound walk, questionnaire, and lab test are common tools used in soundscape studies. These tools allow a good understanding of the perception of the prevailing sonic environment. To figure the sound quality of different design options, though, we can immerse the participants in a virtual, but photorealistic environment, so that they can perceive, compa...

Restaurant Noise: Levels and Temporal Characteristics

Noise in restaurants affects diners and service employees. Normally, people will not eat alone. They would rather enjoy good food and drink with business partners, friends, and family in restaurants and unavoidably they talk happily and loudly. Speeches from other restaurant patrons, service employees, mingling with background music and noise from ventilation systems, will interfere with communication between a talker and listeners. This paper presents a territory-wide noise survey in Hong Kong restaurants and presents a mathematical model that describes the background noise level in restaurants. The measured noise levels show that restaurant noise ranged from 66.7 to 82.6 dBA with a mean value of 73.9 dBA (SD = 3.81 dBA) while the mathematical model illustrates that the background noise level in restaurants mainly depends on the occupancy density. The model was validated by another two sets of noise measurement data recorded in other restaurants. The time record of noise measurement shows that the variation of noise levels decreases when the occupancy density increases. People have to raise their voice effort to improve their speech intelligibility in a very noisy environment.

Cinema Cloud: An Enabling Technology for the Movie Industry

With the promise of high definition and advanced special effects, movie theaters worldwide have evolved from traditional film projection to digital cinema projection. The Cyberport Digital Cinema Cloud helps facilitate the development of digital entertainment in Hong Kong.

Acoustics comfort in buildings in Hong Kong, Macao, and the Greater Bay Area of China

There are various assessment standards for green and sustainable buildings that promote the better use of resources, based on a holistic approach. As one of the major sources of complaints, noise is an essential element in these standards or schemes. In particular, more and more smart use of materials and innovative designs can either enhance or hinder good acoustical design and performance. This paper reviews the role of sound and acoustics in the whole life cycle – from planning, design, construction, to operation and maintenance of the building as indicated by different green and sustainable building assessment standards. A review on the latest trends and the way forward will be given.There are various assessment standards for green and sustainable buildings that promote the better use of resources, based on a holistic approach. As one of the major sources of complaints, noise is an essential element in these standards or schemes. In particular, more and more smart use of materials and innovative designs can either enhance or hinder good acoustical design and performance. This paper reviews the role of sound and acoustics in the whole life cycle – from planning, design, construction, to operation and maintenance of the building as indicated by different green and sustainable building assessment standards. A review on the latest trends and the way forward will be given.

Classroom soundscape—Virtual and real

The sonic environment which both teachers and students are provided in a classroom is important for effective communication during the learning process. How to design and optimize for a classroom requires a study of its soundscape including the feedback of potential users on their perception of the sonic environment. This paper presents how virtual technology is used to characterize the classroom soundscape and how it is related to the reality.The sonic environment which both teachers and students are provided in a classroom is important for effective communication during the learning process. How to design and optimize for a classroom requires a study of its soundscape including the feedback of potential users on their perception of the sonic environment. This paper presents how virtual technology is used to characterize the classroom soundscape and how it is related to the reality.

e-Appraisal of soundscape for public squares in Hong Kong, China

There have been activities taking place in public squares in Hong Kong, China over the past two decades changing the soundscape of the venues as well as their neighborhoods. Such activities include group dancing with music, practicing martial arts with or without the use of sticks and swords, playing sound generating instruments and devices, etc. which were not the anticipated activities during the planning and design stage of public squares. Noise level measurements and interviews were conducted to assess the situations in three Hong Kong’s public squares. This paper presents the findings of these case studies and makes recommendations for future planning of public squares with these unanticipated sound generating activities.There have been activities taking place in public squares in Hong Kong, China over the past two decades changing the soundscape of the venues as well as their neighborhoods. Such activities include group dancing with music, practicing martial arts with or without the use of sticks and swords, playing sound generating instruments and devices, etc. which were not the anticipated activities during the planning and design stage of public squares. Noise level measurements and interviews were conducted to assess the situations in three Hong Kong’s public squares. This paper presents the findings of these case studies and makes recommendations for future planning of public squares with these unanticipated sound generating activities.