Modern cities increasingly use data-driven decision-making. Air quality, traffic density and energy consumption are widely monitored. Noise, on the other hand, often lags behind, even though it directly affects health, livability and safety. This hinders an integrated approach in spatial planning, licensing and monitoring.

Dutch Sensor Systems (DSS) believes that noise data deserve a full place in environmental policy. Our noise meters make it possible to map environmental noise in a reliable, scalable and accessible way, without complicated infrastructure or complex processing.

How does that work in practice?

Ranos noise sensors are placed at strategic locations: from entertainment squares to construction sites, from recreational areas to traffic intersections. They continuously measure the noise level and send their data via LoRaWAN to a secure cloud environment.

Our dashboard provides instant insight:

• Continuous data flow per measurement point
• Map display of locations and measured values
• Clear trend analysis (per hour, day, week or month)
• Adjustable thresholds with notifications via SMS or e-mail
• Link with municipal systems via API

The system is low-maintenance and usable in a variety of climate conditions. Whereas many other products use lithium-ion batteries, which cannot be recharged in sub-zero temperatures, the Ranos operates with reliable Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery technology, allowing winter operation without power supply.

Why is this relevant?

1. From reactive to proactive action

Noise data enables municipalities and organisations to:

• Intervene in real time in case of exceedances (e.g. during events)
• Support enforcement actions with objective measurement data
• Communicate clearly and transparently with residents
• Evaluate policy and make targeted adjustments

2. Strengthen trust through transparency

Sound perception is subjective. Making measured values visible through dashboards creates a shared frame of reference for residents, municipality and companies. This increases mutual understanding and provides a handle in discussions on annoyance or livability.

3. Underpinning spatial choices

Long-term noise measurements provide insight for strategic decision-making:

• Has the location of a quiet area been chosen effectively?
• What is the cumulative effect of different building locations?
• How do acoustics change around new infrastructure or air traffic expansion?

An example: one of our customers uses our noise meters to monitor the impact of a new airport on nearby residential and natural areas. By measuring now, they can substantiate the difference later.

Examples from practice

Metro construction in France

When constructing new metro lines, our noise meters are used to continuously monitor construction noise. By doing so, clients comply with regulations and keep nuisance for local residents manageable.

Urban monitoring in Germany

In several German municipalities, our systems are used to map noise developments at infrastructure projects, air traffic and traffic intersections. Often as part of innovation processes around smart city policies.

Event venues in the US

Pop venues and festivals use our noise meters for real-time monitoring. This helps them stay within the noise limits of their permits and limit nuisance, both for visitors and local residents.

Why invest in sound data now?

The pressure on policymakers to work underpinned is growing. The introduction of the Environment Act and society’s focus on health and quality of life reinforce this trend.

Although the WHO does not use an explicit threshold value in Lden, it does recommend limiting noise from road traffic, rail traffic and aviation as much as possible. This requires measurement data. Not just for incidents, but structurally.

Technological and social developments such as energy transition also create new noise sources: heat pumps, transformer stations, charging stations. In addition, space is being used more multifunctionally, from living and working to recreation. Noise data make it possible to manage this at an early stage, instead of having to react to complaints.

Technology in the service of policy

At DSS, we combine:

• Sensor hardware: robust and long-lasting, even in winter conditions
• Connectivity: via LoRaWAN for energy-efficient, scalable networks
• Dashboard & APIs: visual, usable and easy to integrate into municipal systems
• Support: advice on placement, interpretation and policy linking

Our guiding principle: sound data should support policy, not complicate it.