Environmental Noise Barriers is a unique one-stop reference for practitioners, whether acoustical engineers, landscape architects, or manufacturers, and for highways departments in local and central authorities. This extensively revised new edition is updated in line with UK and EU legislation and international provision of barriers.

Noise pollution generated by transport is acknowledged to be a major environmental problem. This book examines both the acoustic and landscape issues affecting the design of barriers. By addressing the needs of the whole design team, it provides expert guidance on good practice and highlights the pitfalls of poor design. Detailed consideration is given to materials, engineering, legal and environmental issues as well as the health and social impacts of noise barriers. Environmental Noise Barriers is a unique one-step reference for practitioners, be they acoustic engineers, landscape architects or manufacturers and for highways departments in local and central authorities. * illustrates the wide variety of design solutions for different acoustic and landscape situations in several European countries * contains a generous range of full colour photographs * provides information on manufacturers, products and services.

Environmental Noise Barriers is a unique one-stop reference for practitioners, whether acoustical engineers, landscape architects, or manufacturers, and for highways departments in local and central authorities. This extensively revised new edition is updated in line with UK and EU legislation and international provision of barriers.

Presents Evidence-Based Guidance on Noise Abatement Methods Solutions for reducing the noise impact of road and rail traffic can be found in the use of natural elements in combination with artificial elements in urban and rural environments. Ground and road surface treatments; trees, forests, and tall vegetation; and the greening of buildings and other surfaces can contribute to powerful and cost-effective noise reduction. Environmental Methods for Transport Noise Reduction presents the main findings of the Holistic and Sustainable Abatement of Noise by optimized combinations of Natural and Artificial means (HOSANNA) research project. This project involved experts from seven countries, and assessed noise reduction in terms of sound level reductions, perceptual effects, and cost–benefit analysis. It considered a number of green abatement strategies, and aimed to develop a toolbox for reducing road and rail traffic noise in outdoor environments. Combines Theory with Practice Broad in both theory and application and based on leading-edge research, the book brings together the findings and their practical use. It details assessment methods for perceived noise, and outlines noise prediction methods that can be integrated with noise mapping software. It also explores the economic benefits and positive effects on urban air quality and CO2 levels. The material is this book: Includes up-to-date results on noise mitigation using vegetation and ground treatments Contains relevant results on innovative noise barrier designs Presents data on acoustic performance of vegetation and soil substratum Provides perceptual and cost–benefit analyses of noise mitigation methods Environmental Methods for Transport Noise Reduction is a helpful guide for noise consultants, city planners, architects, landscape architects, and researchers.

Environmental Noise Pollution: Noise Mapping, Public Health and Policy addresses the key debates surrounding environmental noise pollution with a particular focus on the European Union. Environmental noise pollution is an emerging public policy and environmental concern and is considered to be one of the most important environmental stressors affecting public health throughout the world. This book examines environmental noise pollution, its health implications, the role of strategic noise mapping for problem assessment, major sources of environmental noise pollution, noise mitigation approaches, and related procedural and policy implications. Drawing on the authors' considerable research expertise in the area, the book is the first coherent work on this major environmental stressor, a new benchmark reference across disciplinary, policy and national boundaries. - Highlights recent developments in the policy arena with particular focus on developments in the EU within the context of the European Noise Directive - Explores the lessons emerging from nations within the EU and other jurisdictions attempting to legislate and mitigate against the harmful effects of noise pollution - Covers the core theoretical concepts and principles surrounding the mechanics of noise pollution as well as the evidence-base linking noise with public health concerns

Over the past two decades there have been many major new developments in the field of urban sound environment. Jian Kang introduces and examines these key developments, including: the development of prediction methods for urban sound propagation establishment and application of noise-mapping software new noise control measures and design methods. Also covered is the new EU directive on noise and the substantial actions it has brought about across Europe. As the importance of soundscape, acoustic comfort and sound environment design have become widely recognized, Urban Sound Environments is a thoroughly useful book for students and practitioners in a wide range of fields, from urban planning and landscape through to architecture and acoustics.

Exposure to noise at home, at work, while traveling, and during leisure activities is a fact of life for all Americans. At times noise can be loud enough to damage hearing, and at lower levels it can disrupt normal living, affect sleep patterns, affect our ability to concentrate at work, interfere with outdoor recreational activities, and, in some cases, interfere with communications and even cause accidents. Clearly, exposure to excessive noise can affect our quality of life. As the population of the United States and, indeed, the world increases and developing countries become more industrialized, problems of noise are likely to become more pervasive and lower the quality of life for everyone. Efforts to manage noise exposures, to design quieter buildings, products, equipment, and transportation vehicles, and to provide a regulatory environment that facilitates adequate, cost-effective, sustainable noise controls require our immediate attention. Technology for a Quieter America looks at the most commonly identified sources of noise, how they are characterized, and efforts that have been made to reduce noise emissions and experiences. The book also reviews the standards and regulations that govern noise levels and the federal, state, and local agencies that regulate noise for the benefit, safety, and wellness of society at large. In addition, it presents the cost-benefit trade-offs between efforts to mitigate noise and the improvements they achieve, information sources available to the public on the dimensions of noise problems and their mitigation, and the need to educate professionals who can deal with these issues. Noise emissions are an issue in industry, in communities, in buildings, and during leisure activities. As such, Technology for a Quieter America will appeal to a wide range of stakeholders: the engineering community; the public; government at the federal, state, and local levels; private industry; labor unions; and nonprofit organizations. Implementation of the recommendations in Technology for a Quieter America will result in reduction of the noise levels to which Americans are exposed and will improve the ability of American industry to compete in world markets paying increasing attention to the noise emissions of products.