GPS-Insight
Simulating the behaviour of plastic litter using GPS sensors.
GPS-inSight: Mapping the Plastic Journey
When you know which routes plastic waste takes through waterways, canals, and rivers, and how it behaves along the way, you hold the key to an effective solution. But the question is: how do you find out what those routes are? That’s where Noria’s GPS-inSight model comes in.
As a water authority, your goal is to remove plastic waste from your waterways as efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively as possible. That process starts with understanding where the waste accumulates and identifying the best spots to remove it.
How does the plastic behave in the water?
To locate these accumulation points, you first need insight into the routes that litter takes through the water. Key questions include:
- How long does it take for a plastic item to travel from point A to point B (for instance, from the city to the sea)?
- Does the plastic actually reach the sea, or does it get stuck somewhere along the way, either temporarily or permanently?
- How do different types of plastic behave differently in the water?
- And finally: where exactly in the water is the plastic found?
Clear answers to these questions form the foundation for an effective solution to your plastic pollution challenge.
How does GPS-inSight work?
To map the movement of plastic, various types of plastic waste, such as bottles and bags, are equipped with small GPS-enabled sensors. These are released into the water and tracked in real time. GPS-inSight integrates seamlessly with Noria’s GIS-based method, allowing the collected routes to be monitored via dashboards and interactive GIS maps. This makes it possible to pinpoint so-called hotspots: the areas where plastic accumulates.
- In consultation with the client, specific waterway sections are defined, such as from the city center outward, or around a confluence. This helps answer practical questions like:
- How long does plastic remain within the city’s water system?
- At a water junction, does plastic continue along its original route or follow the crossing current?
The answers provide essential input for developing effective surface-water plastic-reduction strategies.
For what types of water is GPS-inSight suitable?
The system can be applied to virtually any type of inland water. While not every plastic item can carry a GPS tracker, experience shows that even limited tracking quickly reveals accumulation hotspots and potential source areas.
Why use GPS-inSight?
The insights gained through GPS tracking give water managers a solid foundation for taking targeted action: intervening in the right place, at the right time. This makes cleanup operations not only more effective but also more sustainable and cost-efficient.
Would you like to know more?
Would you like more information about the GPS inZicht model, or are you curious about what Noria can do for you? Email us at