Ambient noise in Flanders

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Initiator(s):

Departement Omgeving, Vlaams Planbureau voor Omgeving (VPO)

Theme:

Digitalisation

Domain:

Environment and spatial development

Active state:

In execution

Contact:

Departement Omgeving, Vlaams Planbureau voor Omgeving (VPO)
Karen Van Campenhout
T +32 2 553 62 67

Hans Reynders
T +32 2 553 11 78

PIP
Corien Struijk
T +32 2 432 42 87

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Challenge

This PIP project aims at the development of a toolset for mapping personal sound exposure in Flanders. Research (in Flanders and internationally) shows that noise exposure can cause important health effects (stress, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular effects, ...). After particulate matter, noise is the second most important factor in the total negative environmental impact (expressed in 'potentially distant healthy life years') in Flanders and is experienced as the most important source of annoyance.

Depending on the end user, the toolset can be divided into three specific tools:

An exposure tool: this tool collects personal and dynamic exposure data to environmental noise and the associated (individual) appreciation of the noise exposure within the framework of, among others, health research;
validation tool: this tool allows researchers to test modelled data against different types of noise measurements (validating and improving models);
information tool: this tool aggregates the collected personal data and the data of the validation tool into a detailed area-wide noise map for Flanders in order to make further interpretations and gain (policy) insights.

The validated toolset will allow the implementation of personal (dynamic) noise exposure measurements in policy-based measurement campaigns such as humane biomonitoring (cf. Flemish Human Biomonitoring Programme) and in citizen science projects. The aim is to merge the noise exposure measurements with measurements of health effects and personal appreciation of the noise exposure. Also, the toolset (in particular the information tool) should lead to an area-wide noise map for Flanders that is as detailed as possible. This information can be used in broader measurement campaigns and their policy translation.

Preparation

In order to sharpen the challenge and match demand to supply, the project is supervised by Addestino Innovation Management.

On June 14, 2021 there was an online open market consultation with potential suppliers and service providers.

We reached out to companies and research groups, who have knowledge and experience with sensors, sensor platforms, measurement methods for noice, appreciation of noise and health aspects (stress, blood pressure) to participate in this market consultation.

Below you can find the presentation of the market consultation and the final report of Addestino, which reflects the results of the needs and market analysis:

presentation market consultation: ambient_noise_in_flanders_-_market_consultation_14_06.pdf
final report Addestino: voortraject_geluid_eindverslag.pdf

Addestino recommended a phased approach for the development of the toolset.

Procurement

For the project Ambient Noise Measurement in Flanders the first procurement was awarded to Ghent University in collaboration with the Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH) at the end of 2021. The goal of this tender is to develop an approach for the use case 'Determining the personal noise exposure during the night and linking this to health effects, sleep disturbance and appreciation of noise' and to validate and optimize this through a pilot project with repeated measurements on a limited number of users. In a later phase this approach should be rolled out on a larger scale in a.o. the next cycle of the Flemish Humane Biomonitoring Programme. You can find the tender document via e-Procurement.

Execution

The contract for the first use case 'Determining the personal noise exposure during the night and linking this to health effects, sleep disturbance and appreciation of noise' was awarded to Ghent University in collaboration with the Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH) at the end of 2021.