Noise tracking 

A new EU development project visualises the consequences of noise and pollution on a locally defined urban area - providing a much better decision-making basis for local authorities.

3D city models will soon be in use to show how noise and air pollution develop in a given urban area or vicinity - greatly assisting local authorities in performing complex "what if" scenarios to show the localised impact of, for instance, new road projects on urban areas.

As part of a new EU development project called IntelCities, Intelligent City, work is undertaken to further develop 3D city models using new simulation technology.

This includes determining how best to retrieve and collate data from legacy systems, analyses programs, databases and geographic information systems.

Show the effects

The aim of the project is to show the effects and consequences of noise and air pollution etc. on European cities prior to commencement of new construction projects or alterations to the existing infrastructure.

Instead of employing traditional drawings, depictions are in 3D and solutions such as noise screens can be set up in a virtual room to study their effectiveness in reality.

Avoid errors

"Urban development is a driving force in the structure of any society," says COWI head of department Jørgen Pedersen, "and advances in technology are enabling this development to be more prudently planned.

Also, it is now possible to perform simulations as early as the proposal stage.

The new technology not only provides a very strong visual image and thus a far better basis for decision-making, but also it is a good social investment.

Because by making the right decisions first time around and avoiding mistakes, costs are minimised."

COWI is thus acting as the link

The development project, launched in early 2004, will run for 18 months. About 80 parties are involved, including universities, big cities and companies in the fields of IT, infrastructure and urban democratisation.

COWI, which today produces 3D city models for several Danish towns and cities, is assisting with user requirements and specifications of the new technology.

COWI is thus acting as the link between 3D developers and users, participates in testing and thereby helps establish the widespread use of multidimensional urban models in urban development.

Public sector clients

Among project participants is also Århus city council, Denmark’s second largest city and one of the first in Denmark to take delivery of a 3D city model.

Persuading people

Adds Jørgen Pedersen: "Our hope is that public sector clients will take the lead in this field and insist on the use of 3D city model visualisations for new construction projects throughout the EU. The biggest problem will likely be in persuading people to change their customary ways and embrace the possibilities inherent in the new technology."

By Christina Tækker, cht@cowi.com
Published: 27.10.2004