Challenge(s)

Good practice

Seek innovative technological solutions in order to mitigate sound pollution

Building insulation is one of the basic technological solutions that port authorities use to reduce noise pollution during port activities. Technologies such as lighting systems and port infrastructure enhancements mitigate disturbances and facilitate interactions between intensive port operations and urban activities. Ongoing efforts will focus on intensifying research and innovation in this domain to continually advance these solutions' effectiveness. One revolutionary solution is used by the Westpoort of Amsterdam: changing the reversing signal systems attached to the big construction or transportation machinery, which significantly reduces noise pollution in the area.

Cas d'étude

The Westpoort of Amsterdam launched the HoorbaarMinder, ‘Hear the Difference’, project to replace the reversing sounds made by trucks and other machines. The sound is very prominent at short distances, but can also be heard from further away, notably in the residential areas of Zaanstad and Westzaan. A total of 267 of these reversing signal systems have been replaced by new systems which emit a more discreet whistle, which a residents’ spokesman has described as resembling the sound made by a cricket. The eventual aim is to replace all these systems in the port zone. This technology was essential for the reduction of noise in the port. Its impact was further supported as it was one of the main components of the port’s Noise Reduction Zoning Plan, which controls the amount of activity executed within the space of the port. This further helps the implementation of the new reverse signal systems mounted on the machines.

This project started in 2015 with the division of port areas; assessing the maximum port activity that could be conducted within the port space with the goal of having the least amount of noise pollution. The project later moved to the second stage of mounting the reverse signal systems onto machinery used in the port. The project was completed and fully operational by 2018. In 2019, this project was reassessed and expanded to further reduce port activities’ noise reaching the city. This innovative solution received the Golden Decibel Award in 2016 from the Dutch noise reduction foundation, Stichting Geluidshinder.

This good practice also includes objective 9.3 (Promoting and supporting the development of greener port facilities) and 4.4 (Developing collaborative approaches, drawing on scientific and technologic knowledge from the scientific community and civil society to support decision making) of the AIVP’s 2030 Agenda.

 

Additional informations :

Map location of the zoning plan

HoorbaarMinder geluid in de Amsterdamse havenregio (video) (in Dutch) (translation: AudibleLess noise in the Amsterdam port region)

Approval of Westpoort Noise Dispersion Plan

Vaststellen van het bestemmingsplan geluidverdeelplan Westpoort (pdf) (Dutch) (translation: Adoption of Westpoort noise subdivision plan)

Ontwepbesluit – Provinviale staten van Noord-Holland (pdf) (Dutch) (translation: Dewep decision – Provincial States of North Holland)

Vaststellen van het bestemmingsplan geluidverdeelplan Westpoort 1e herziening (pdf) (Dutch) (translation: Adoption of the Westpoort noise subdivision plan 1st revision)

In images