Noise model

Municipality of Utrecht

We would like to ensure that noise standards are not violated in Utrecht. In doing so, we contribute to Healthy Urban Living in Utrecht.

Last change on 12th of July 2024, at 9:26 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
• Impact assessment: DPIA, ...
• Status: In use

General information

Theme

Space and Infrastructure

Begin date

2019-07

Contact information

[e-mail]

Responsible use

Goal and impact

Predicting whether noise standards will be violated in a given area

Considerations

Results Uthiek Assessment: with this approach to monitoring noise, we stimulate that there is as little noise nuisance as possible in Utrecht. In doing so, we contribute to the Health value, because less noise pollution leads to better mental health of residents. In doing so, we also protect a group of vulnerable Utrechters who are extra sensitive to noise. In doing so, we contribute to the value Justice. The value Privacy is NOT at stake, because we take noise measurements without registering any personal data.

Human intervention

The algorithm (with a direct impact on Utrecht residents and their living environment) only serves as a source of information for an employee, who takes the appropriate next step based on this information and the context of the situation. This principle is included in our Utrecht framework Internal Guidelines for Algorithm Application.

Risk management

The Utrecht data scientists, Information and Process Advisors (IPA) and Decentralised Information Security Officers (DISO) within the Utrecht municipality have a controlling and monitoring role in the application of the algorithm, in addition to the employees directly involved. By doing so, we want to prevent the following risks from occurring:

- data leak by making personal data of Utrecht residents publicly available

- algorithm takes a decision completely independently, without the intervention of an employee and without interpreting the relevant context of the situation

- 'function creep' regarding data in the application of the algorithm, causing the algorithm to give a distorted picture of what is going on. This can occur because the same type of data is used when applying the algorithm, and the algorithm uses that as confirmation for what comes out as information

Impact assessment

• Utrechts Uthiek Assessment
• Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Operations

Data

- noise standard

- noise measurements in Utrecht

- noise reports

- noise enforcement data