Environmental noise mapping using Earth observation (EO)

GIMA
M-GEO
STAMP
M-SE Core knowledge areas
Spatial Information Science (SIS)
Spatial Planning for Governance (SPG)
Topic objectives and methodology

The research aims to uncover the relationship between modeled environmental noise and EO data. In particular, you will implement an AI model, Machine learning (ML) or Deep learning (DL), to predict noise in a geographic area.

Data:

  • EO data, e.g., sentinel, night lights images, vegetation
  • Modeled noise maps

Methods:

  • Machine learning methods: supervised, unsupervised, or their combination.
  • Collaborative planning workshop, maptables.

Workflow:

The suggested workflow of this research follows:

  1. Literature review of state-of-the-art ML/DL models for noise prediction using EO
  2. Data acquisition
  3. Implementation of the model
  4. Assessment of model performance
  5. Critical reflection on the model and its utility in consultation with key stakeholders.

This topic requires an interest in noise pollution and programming skills as you will work with Python. Also, there is ample room and opportunity to shape this research project in consultation with the supervisors, and we expect students who choose this topic to take the initiative to do so.

References for further reading
  • J. Staab et al., "Using CNNs on Sentinel-2 data for road traffic noise modelling," 2023 Joint Urban Remote Sensing Event (JURSE), Heraklion, Greece, 2023, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/JURSE57346.2023.10144160.
  • Comparison of land use regression and random forests models on estimating noise levels in five Canadian cities. Ying Liu et al. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113367
  • Aguilar, R., Flacke, J., Simon, D., & Pfeffer, K. (2023). Stakeholders Engagement in Noise Action Planning Mediated by OGITO: An Open Geo-Spatial Interactive Tool. Journal of Urban Technology, 30(3), 23–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/10630732.2023.2190705