When changes are made to our living environment noise can play an important role.  In an attempt to reduce the impact of this, the Netherlands government has determined a set of rules and regulations pertaining to noise pollution.  While professionals find these regulations easy to understand, they often have little meaning to members of the public.

To help make the results of noise analysis easier to understand, Royal Haskoning has developed a noise simulator.  Called Sensibel, the tool translates results of noise surveys into ‘live’ sound bites, and is capable of distinguishing all sources of noise within a designated area, in addition to the primary source of the noise under investigation. 

The information gathered and presented by Sensibel will provide residents with clear information that is easy to understand, which fits with the strategy of analyzing noise nuisance from both a regulatory and public view point.
 
Last year the Sensibel noise simulator won Royal Haskoning’s internal Da Vinci Award which appraises staff for innovative ideas.

The ‘Ei van Columbus’ award is presented to companies that have developed sustainable innovations and is presented every two years by five Netherlands authorities, including the Dutch Ministry for Housing, Regional Development and the Environment.  This year’s award will be presented in March by Netherlands Minister of the Environment, Jacqueline Cramer.