)){kind=small}
Berrie Veenhof
Team manager
Hundreds of geese caused noise disturbances for residents of the Dutch cities of Den Bosch and Breda. In order to reduce this problem, the goose population would have to be reduced. However, this could not be done without objective evidence that the nuisance actually came from these animals. This is where the Sweco Monitoring Platform proved to be the flexible solution needed to objectively identify the source of the noise disturbance.
Impact: noise measurements helped to restore the living quality of inhabitants of two cities
Challenge: obtaining objective evidence of the source of experienced noise disturbances
Measuring the noise volume and frequency alone is not sufficient to link the noise disturbance to the local goose population. In order to take measures such as population control, objective evidence must be provided, ruling out the possibility that the nuisance could possibly originate from another source. This challenge required a platform that would allow multiple data streams, presenting the required information in one insightful and readable format.
Solution: comparing the sound disturbance experience of inhabitants to objective sound measurements
The input of the residents, who indicated via an application when the disturbance was experienced, could be linked to the objective noise measurements via the Sweco Monitoring Platform. This way, the experienced noise levels of residents could objectively be compared to the measured peaks in noise volume caused by the geese. In this case, the correlation became clearly visible.
Result: providing objective proof to municipalities enabling them to restore the living quality of residents
The results of the measurements, together with the input of the residents, provided a strong and objective basis for the municipalities to take measures regarding the goose populations. Although this was an extraordinary assignment and situation, the Sweco Monitoring Platform and the flexibility it offers, can be a key element in similar situations where the living quality of residents is at stake.
