Belgian city uses artificial intelligence to tackle noise pollution

Genk is using Nokia’s Scene Analytics technology to capture and measure excessive noise levels on a commercial street in Genk, allowing authorities to quantify concerns of residents and visitors.

AI is being used to add intelligence to event data transmitted from sensors

The Belgian city of Genk is working with Nokia to quantify the level of noise pollution along one of the city’s high streets.

Authorities in the city want to address the health and safety concerns of residents and visitors enduring excessive noise from modified exhaust systems on cars, motorbikes and other vehicles travelling on the Stalenstraat.

Proof-of-concept

Nokia is deploying its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Scene Analytics technology for the proof-of-concept project.

The solution utilises data from microphones and installed cameras, used as IoT sensors along the road. If an approaching vehicle exceeds the pre-determined threshold, the street-deployed microphones and cameras begin recording.

Nokia Scene Analytics adds intelligence to the event data transmitted from the sensors using a decibel-powered algorithm for audio analysis and automated number plate recognition (ANPR). This information is sent to authorities who receive quantified observations and orientations in order to make informed decisions on ‘if’ and ’how’ they will address the issue.

“This will help us put plans in place to address the issues of loud vehicles in the city and make it a safer and more peaceful place for everyone within the city limits”

“The city of Genk embraces technology that improves the lives of its residents and visitors,” said mayor of Genk, Wim Dries. “The data collected by Nokia’s AI-powered platform will automatically analyse patterns of noise and traffic allowing us to understand with quantifiable results the concerns of residents and visitors.

“This will help us put plans in place to address the issues of loud vehicles in the city and make it a safer and more peaceful place for everyone within the city limits.”

Suparno Banerjee, Nokia vice president of government and cities, reckons the platform is paving the way in sustainable, cross-domain sensor data analytics. He said: “By integrating it alongside third-party solutions and additional IoT sensors, it offers smart cities and connected industries an open, flexible and scalable solution which they can use to address a variety of challenges.”

Earlier this year, the City of Melbourne conducted a trial using Nokia Scene Analytics technology to develop a deeper understanding of waste disposal behaviour. The aim was to allow the city to tackle the issue of waste dumping more efficiently and keep laneways – the busy and narrow city streets and pedestrian areas – even more clean, safe and free of garbage.

The trial allowed for real-time monitoring and detection of activity in the vicinity of the compactor using a virtual tripwire. Object detection and object counting was used to identify and count items to show how the compactor was impacted by items incorrectly placed within it, while also identifying potentially dangerous items.