I'm an Innovator: Using AI to classify loud noises at construction sites
February 27, 2024
Share
In the first episode of a new quarterly series, we travel to Toronto, Canada, to meet Frank Babic, Stantec's acoustic practice lead and an accomplished musician.
Frank also developed a new tool that uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to determine if loud noises around construction sites are construction or non-construction in origin. Frank explains his love of music and sound and the collaborative development process at Stantec that led to the creation of the tool.
For more information about our innovative engineering and design solutions, visit Innovation and our Innovation and Technology Ideas pages.
Share
-
A licensed acoustics engineer with over 20 years of experience, Frank is a subject matter expert and Acoustics practice lead in the field of acoustics, noise, and vibration.
Contact Frank
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/topic\/innovation\u002Dtechnology.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "a550cef3\u002Df19b\u002D4938\u002D98de\u002Df97e28026691",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dderisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/derisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"link": {
"text":"Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/exploring\u002Dai\u002Drole\u002Dwastewater\u002Dtreatment.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D486166614.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Microgrids: A shift toward energy independence",
"link": {
"text":"Microgrids: A shift toward energy independence",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/microgrids\u002Dshift\u002Dtoward\u002Denergy\u002Dindependence.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/029\/residential\u002Dneighbourhood\u002Dadobestock\u002D534528164.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Microgrids: A shift toward energy independence",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Clean drinking water: Forward-thinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dforward\u002Dthinking\u002Ddesign\u002Dsolves\u002Dunique\u002Dgreat\u002Dlakes\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dspark.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Design Hive: Hans Davis and David Lee on using AI tools in architecture workflows",
"link": {
"text":"Design Hive: Hans Davis and David Lee on using AI tools in architecture workflows",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/design\u002Dhive\u002Dhans\u002Ddavis\u002Ddavid\u002Dlee\u002Don\u002Dusing\u002Dai\u002Dtools\u002Din\u002Darchitecture\u002Dworkflows.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/ideaxchange\u002D2026\u002Ddesign.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design Hive: Hans Davis and David Lee on using AI tools in architecture workflows",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - The new cyber risk challenging America’s water: Modernization itself",
"link": {
"text":"The new cyber risk challenging America’s water: Modernization itself",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/the\u002Dnew\u002Dcyber\u002Drisk\u002Dchallenging\u002Damericas\u002Dwater\u002Dmodernization\u002Ditself.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D374747543.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The new cyber risk challenging America’s water: Modernization itself",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Grid modernization through greenfield power projects: 6 critical elements",
"link": {
"text":"Grid modernization through greenfield power projects: 6 critical elements",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/grid\u002Dmodernization\u002Dthrough\u002Dgreenfield\u002Dpower\u002Dprojects\u002D6\u002Dcritical\u002Delements.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/transmission\u002Dlines\u002Dadobestock\u002D246067920.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Grid modernization through greenfield power projects: 6 critical elements",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Innovative Insights: Using digital technology and engineering skills to help clients",
"link": {
"text":"Innovative Insights: Using digital technology and engineering skills to help clients",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/innovative\u002Dinsights\u002Dusing\u002Ddigital\u002Dtechnology\u002Dengineering\u002Dskills\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Dclients.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/team\u002Dmeeting\u002Dadobestock\u002D302471776.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovative Insights: Using digital technology and engineering skills to help clients",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/stantecs\u002Dtop\u002D10\u002Dideas\u002Dfrom\u002D2025\u002Dai\u002Dto\u002Dzenden.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0071\/kaitoke\u002Dflume\u002Dbridge\u002D4.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - AI tools for architecture: Designers explore what’s possible",
"link": {
"text":"AI tools for architecture: Designers explore what’s possible",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/ai\u002Dtools\u002Dfor\u002Darchitecture\u002Ddesigners\u002Dexplore\u002Dwhat\u002Dis\u002Dpossible.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/ideaxchange\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "AI tools for architecture: Designers explore what’s possible",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - 11 key design factors for extra high voltage transmission systems",
"link": {
"text":"11 key design factors for extra high voltage transmission systems",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/11\u002Dkey\u002Ddesign\u002Dfactors\u002Dfor\u002Dextra\u002Dhigh\u002Dvoltage\u002Dtransmission\u002Dsystems.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0070\/manitoba\u002Dhydro\u002D269647.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "11 key design factors for extra high voltage transmission systems",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - Building Dubai’s first integrated cancer hospital using Autodesk Forma",
"link": {
"text":"Building Dubai’s first integrated cancer hospital using Autodesk Forma",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/building\u002Ddubais\u002Dfirst\u002Dintegrated\u002Dcancer\u002Dhospital\u002Dusing\u002Dautodesk\u002Dforma.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0134\/hamdan\u002Dbin\u002Drashid\u002Dcancer\u002Dhospital\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Building Dubai’s first integrated cancer hospital using Autodesk Forma",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - From data to decisions: How real-time monitoring helps achieve GISTM compliance",
"link": {
"text":"From data to decisions: How real\u002Dtime monitoring helps achieve GISTM compliance",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/from\u002Ddata\u002Dto\u002Ddecisions\u002Dhow\u002Dreal\u002Dtime\u002Dmonitoring\u002Dhelps\u002Dachieve\u002Dgistm\u002Dcompliance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/cyprus\u002Dcopper\u002Dmine\u002Dadobestock\u002D507351600.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From data to decisions: How real\u002Dtime monitoring helps achieve GISTM compliance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Why update water automation systems? The hidden costs of legacy operational technology",
"link": {
"text":"Why update water automation systems? The hidden costs of legacy operational technology",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/why\u002Dupdate\u002Dwater\u002Dautomation\u002Dsystems\u002Dhidden\u002Dcosts\u002Dof\u002Dlegacy\u002Doperational\u002Dtechnology.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/water\u002Dsystem\u002Dengineer\u002Dadobestock\u002D587310329.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Why update water automation systems? The hidden costs of legacy operational technology",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - Shaping a cleaner future through better air quality monitoring",
"link": {
"text":"Shaping a cleaner future through better air quality monitoring",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/shaping\u002Dcleaner\u002Dfuture\u002Dthrough\u002Dbetter\u002Dair\u002Dquality\u002Dmonitoring.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/spark\u002Dpromo\u002Dair\u002Dquality\u002Dmonitoring.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Shaping a cleaner future through better air quality monitoring",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - Q&A: What is reality capture? How can it transform digital archaeology and other sectors?",
"link": {
"text":"Q\x26A: What is reality capture? How can it transform digital archaeology and other sectors?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/q\u002Da\u002Dwhat\u002Dis\u002Dreality\u002Dcapture\u002Dhow\u002Dcan\u002Dit\u002Dtransform\u002Ddigital\u002Darchaeology\u002Dother\u002Dsectors.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/henry\u002Dstreet\u002Dbridge\u002Dgreenlawn\u002Dcemetary\u002Drelocation\u002D3.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Q\x26A: What is reality capture? How can it transform digital archaeology and other sectors?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - Pairing small modular reactors with AI data centers",
"link": {
"text":"Pairing small modular reactors with AI data centers",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/pairing\u002Dsmall\u002Dmodular\u002Dreactors\u002Dwith\u002Dai\u002Ddata\u002Dcenters.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/server\u002Droom\u002Dadobestock\u002D1620733140.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Pairing small modular reactors with AI data centers",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Stantec utilizes Airbus’ Pléiades to detect hazardous pipeline right-of-way encroachments",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec utilizes Airbus’ Pléiades to detect hazardous pipeline right\u002Dof\u002Dway encroachments",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/stantec\u002Dutilizes\u002Dairbus\u002Dpleiades\u002Dto\u002Ddetect\u002Dhazardous\u002Dpipeline\u002Dright\u002Dof\u002Dway\u002Dencroachments.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/trans\u002Dalaska\u002Dpipeline\u002Dadobestock\u002D131313491.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec utilizes Airbus’ Pléiades to detect hazardous pipeline right\u002Dof\u002Dway encroachments",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"link": {
"text":"Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/seeing\u002Dmore\u002Dclearly\u002Dwhere\u002Dstormwater\u002Dfloods\u002Ddenver.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/denver\u002Dco\u002Dnight\u002Dadobestock\u002D516350308.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"link": {
"text":"We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/we\u002Dare\u002Dhalfwaythrough\u002D2025\u002D5\u002Dtrends\u002Dimpacting\u002Daec\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/wtp\u002Dadobestock\u002D428397714.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - I’m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"link": {
"text":"I’m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dusing\u002Dtechnology\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Dcommunities\u002Dpredict\u002Ddebris\u002Dflows.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/innovator\u002Ddebrisflow\u002Drick\u002Dguthrie.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I’m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - The power answer: Clean, stable energy in every community",
"link": {
"text":"The power answer: Clean, stable energy in every community",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/the\u002Dpower\u002Danswer\u002Dclean\u002Dstable\u002Denergy\u002Din\u002Devery\u002Dcommunity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/jag\u002Dsingh\u002Dpower\u002Danswer.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The power answer: Clean, stable energy in every community",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - I’m an Innovator: Shaping policy discussions around the future of mobility",
"link": {
"text":"I’m an Innovator: Shaping policy discussions around the future of mobility",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dshaping\u002Dpolicy\u002Ddiscussions\u002Daround\u002Dfuture\u002Dof\u002Dmobility.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/innovator\u002Dshaping\u002Dpolicy\u002Ddiscssions\u002Dfuture\u002Dmobility.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I’m an Innovator: Shaping policy discussions around the future of mobility",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"link": {
"text":"Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/cleaner\u002Dcoasts\u002Dturning\u002Dthe\u002Dtide\u002Don\u002Dtrash\u002Dcapture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0039\/ballona\u002Dcreek\u002Dinterceptor\u002D007\u002Dpilot\u002Dproject\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}