Exploring the Current Landscape of Open Research Software in Room Acoustics

Over the span of six decades, researchers have dedicated considerable efforts towards the development of computational methodologies for predicting room acoustics. These methodologies comprise the calculation of detailed impulse responses, frequency responses, and the prediction of quantities and indicators. The variety of these computational approaches continues to evolve, particularly with the recent advent of machine learning methods into the realm of room acoustics. Notably, the research software or code underpinning these advancements is not as readily accessible to the public as the results it has generated. This lack of accessibility has posed challenges to reproducibility and potentially impacted the overall quality of scientific endeavours as well as hampered collaboration, hindering the progress within the field. This study provides insights into the current state of open-source research software in room acoustics, presenting quantitative developments over the years. It further explores the measurable impact of shared research software and offers an outlook on the prospective value of open-source research software in room acoustics.