Renault Corporation and Bruitparif collaborate on innovation for public health and environmental sustainability

Renault Group and Bruitparif Partner to Create First Real-Time Acoustic Map of Île-de-France's Roads

In a significant move towards reducing noise pollution and improving road conditions, Renault Group and Bruitparif have joined forces to establish the first real-time acoustic map of the roads in Île-de-France.

The partnership will see around thirty Megane E-Tech vehicles equipped with sensors and the Apache box, a technology developed by Renault Group engineers, hit the roads of Île-de-France. These vehicles will become mobile sensors, automatically taking measurements of the acoustic state of the roads in real traffic.

The intensity of the noise on a road reflects its condition, with a factor of 10 difference between a new road and an old or damaged one. This comprehensive mapping will help local authorities in their road resurfacing strategies and enable them to make better decisions about road repair.

The strategic noise maps will be used to identify sectors that combine degraded roads, heavy traffic, a large number of residents and/or the presence of schools, hospitals, etc., and which should therefore be considered by local authorities as priority intervention areas for road repairs.

The additional Apache box records the collected data and transmits it to a dedicated server for post-processing. Post-processing of the data, combined with other data such as traffic volume and the sensitivity of the areas crossed, will allow for a comprehensive and accurate mapping of the acoustic state of Île-de-France's roads.

Olivier BLOND, President of Bruitparif, states that the partnership with Renault Group will allow them to identify priority intervention areas for road repairs in the 14 Greater Paris urban areas. Thomas ANTOINE, Renault Group's Expert Leader on Noise and Vibrations, stated that the partnership with Bruitparif will provide valuable assistance to cities and local authorities.

The sensors measure the noise levels of the roads at a distance of about one meter. Having a detailed acoustic map of the roads will allow local authorities to better understand the real condition of their roads and monitor their evolution.

The partnership will contribute to the reduction of noise pollution from all road traffic and its impact on health. Environmental benefits also include reduced energy consumption and lower emissions (CO2, tire particles, etc.) from all vehicles.

The Regional Health Agency (Agence Régionale de Santé, ARS) and local environmental and urban planning authorities in Île-de-France are responsible for implementing the European Directive 2002/49/EC and are involved in the partnership project between Renault Group and Bruitparif.

With this comprehensive information, local authorities can make better decisions about road repair and intervene in priority areas. The Apache technology will make it feasible to measure the acoustic state of an entire road network, due to its ability to take measurements automatically and simply in real traffic. This innovative partnership is set to revolutionise the way road conditions are monitored and addressed in Île-de-France.