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.
