• How it works
• How to sign up

Do you want to participate in Delft’s soundscape study by installing a noise sensor?

Noise pollution is a huge burden for citizens in the urban environment. Not only does noise cause stress and annoyance, but it also contributes to negative health outcomes such as heart disease and sleeping problems. To mitigate noise, one must understand the soundscape of our cities. While traffic noise is often perceived as a nuisance, bird song may have a restorative effect on our well-being. Therefore, we want to not only measure sound levels in Delft but also detect sound sources, such as traffic, birds, ambulances, crowds, etc. For this, we need the help of citizens who are willing to install a noise sensor outside their homes.

How it works

The soundscape sensor was developed at TU Delft. The devices are solar-powered and do not need access to power. With your help, we can gather valuable information about the sounds of Delft.

What do we measure?

• Loudness (dB(A)): This tells us how loud it is, using decibels adjusted to human hearing.
• Sound Source Detection: Our sensor recognizes whether the noise comes from traffic, birds, people, or other sources.
• Intermittency Ratio: This helps us understand if the noise is constant (like steady traffic) or comes in bursts (like a single passing scooter).
• Sharpness: Sharpness is similar to the pitch of a sound. Specifically, it reflects the amount of high-frequency components.

What you need to know

• Together, we will find a suitable location to mount the sensor, such as a rain pipe, fence, or balcony.
• Our team will install the sensor for you to ensure proper setup.
• The sensor will remain installed for about 4–5 weeks.
• We will also kindly ask you to fill in a short survey on noise annoyance.
• After completion of the project, you’ll receive a report summarizing the noise characteristics at your location.

💡 Privacy notice: The sensors DO NOT record any raw audio. We only measure characteristics of the sound, which makes it impossible to extract any personal information, such as spoken words.

📢 Your neighbourhood does not need to be particularly noisy to participate. We are interested in both pleasant and unpleasant soundscapes.

How to sign up

Did we spark your interest? Then we would be delighted if you kindly respond to the sign-up form. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate all requests, but we will do our best to accept as many participants as possible.

Sign up now

After filling out the form, we will come back to you by the end of March 2025.

Researcher