Under the name “Smart Village Liederbach”, the municipality of Liederbach is using digital innovations for disaster prevention, the environment and transportation. The name Liederbach already refers to the location on the watercourse of the same name, which can lead to considerable flooding during heavy rainfall events, as was recently the case in August 2020. Other sections are also at risk, which highlights the need for targeted prevention measures.
The municipality has installed an innovative heavy rain system to detect possible flooding at an early stage. This early warning system is part of the “Smart Village Liederbach am Taunus” project, which has been funded with around 357,000 euros from the “Starke Heimat Hessen” program since summer 2023. Liederbach is thus setting new standards for modern risk management and demonstrating how digital technologies can improve safety and quality of life in rural communities.
“Climate change is bringing more and more challenges with it. Thanks to digital technologies, even small municipalities such as Liederbach are able to maintain a measurement and warning system to minimize the damage caused by water. As the Hessian state government, it is particularly important to us to provide comprehensive support with these challenges. After all, digitalization offers the opportunity for everyone to position themselves for the future – whether in the city or in the countryside, whether as a small or large municipality,” said Digital Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus.
As part of the “Smart Village Liederbach am Taunus” project, 33 rain sensors have been installed on sign poles and six water level sensors along the Liederbach. These record rainfall and water levels in real time. The sensor data is transmitted to a central data platform via a newly implemented LoRaWAN wireless network. There, the information is evaluated using AI-based hydrological models to create precise forecasts that help to detect heavy rainfall events and flooding at an early stage.
The next step will be to use the data collected to develop alert scenarios, which will significantly improve coordination and the ability to respond in the event of a disaster. Initial agreements with the volunteer fire department to involve the local emergency services are already underway. The project thus demonstrates how modern technologies can optimize risk management in rural regions and increase the safety of the population.
Detailed information on the forecast precipitation events is provided on the website www.liederbach.eu/starkregenportal. For the measuring points equipped with sensors, information on the amount of precipitation and the water levels of the last 24 or 36 hours can be viewed.
Sensors to optimize irrigation of the trees
Liederbach also relies on digital solutions for watering the trees: A sensor-based irrigation system automatically supplies the trees in the municipal area with water as required. Soil moisture and environmental sensors record the current conditions and enable needs-based irrigation, which reduces water consumption and travel distances. Long-term monitoring will start in February 2025 – at the same time, monitoring for traffic will also begin. To this end, cameras have been installed at four strategic points to collect data for optimized traffic route planning. The aim is to promote cycling, reduce HGV through traffic and thus increase road safety and reduce the impact on local residents.
A dashboard is being developed for both sub-projects – irrigation and transport – that visualizes the collected data and enables the administration to make data-based decisions. These approaches show how smart technologies can make everyday life in rural communities easier and at the same time promote sustainable goals.
Mayor Eva Söllner: “I am delighted about the funding and the progress of the project and that we, as a small municipality, can make a contribution. At the same time, we are already benefiting from the opportunities offered by digitalization. Particularly in times of staff and skills shortages, the prospects are very important, especially for small structures.”
Background
In spring 2020, the Hessian state government set up the Smart Regions office in the Digital Minister’s office to support local authorities and facilitate exchange and networking. The “Starke Heimat Hessen” program supports local authorities with important projects for the future, including childcare, healthcare and strengthening public transport. Around 20 million euros will be available annually from 2020 to 2024, divided into three measures. Four million euros will flow into the Civento digitalization platform from 2020 to 2024. A further 16 million euros were made available for administrative digitization in 2020. And from 2021 to 2024, up to 16 million euros each will be used for municipal projects relating to innovative projects in areas of digitization of municipal fields of action in the sense of Smart City / Smart Region. Projects are funded with between €100,000 and €2.5 million.
Further information can be found at
www.digitales.hessen.de/Foerderprogramme/Starke-Heimat www.smarte-region-hessen.de.