Through Geo-Impuls' geocommunication project, the project management of the Groene Loper (the A2 tunnel under Maastricht) took another critical look at construction communication, specifically focusing on risk communication and nuisance
The objective of the communication project was to get a shared view of the geotechnical risks and the way in which they are communicated to the outside world throughout the project organisation (both clients and contractors). Striving for transparency on risks, showing environmental sensitivity and building trust were the starting points. Geo-Impuls also supported this project using the 'observational method', a method to better manage geotechnical risks.
Geotechnical traffic light
In three workshops in a team of internal stakeholders and external professionals from geoengineering, communications and environmental management, the geocommunication project first compiled a so-called 'geotechnical traffic light': which subsurface-related risks are red, which are orange and which are green? More on this can be found in the Guideline on Geocommunication published by the working group.
What does the environment think
The way in which those surrounding the project view risks, their experiences and expectations with regard to nuisance, their perception of current communication from the project and how they would like to be informed in the future were examined. In addition, the level of trust people have towards the project and the project team was examined.
Environmental monitoring
As the project did not yet have a structural form of environmental monitoring, this track was tackled to make an immediate start on this. It also analysed which risks were currently underexposed in communication. The choices involved in communicating about nuisance and risks were discussed: how far do you want to go in doing so? Will you actively communicate the full spectrum of risks in combination with the control measuresm, or only a limited number of the most likely risks? Will you show the monitoring or also the 'what if' scenarios? Which risks will you actively go public with to promote risk awareness?
Approach to risk communication
The form is also important. How can we develop communication tools and methods that integrate risk communication into the normal communication and construction process? What specific means are desired for communication of control measures? In addition, there appeared to be no structural form of stakeholder management. In this project, a start was made to shape this too. Based on all this input, the project team came up with a risk communication approach that could be supported from a technical, environmental management and communication perspective.