Acoustic evaluation of modular greenery noise barriers

Abstract

Green noise barriers have become an alternative means of reducing urban traffic noise. In this paper, the acoustic performance of a modular greenery noise barrier is evaluated. In situ measurements of noise reflection were performed using an experimental prototype to estimate the sound absorption coefficients. These coefficients were found to have values of approximately 0.7, higher than those previously found in laboratory measurements for a similar system with a lower vegetation density. The obtained values were input into software for predicting environmental noise to analyse the expected performance of such barriers, particularly in the case of a pair of parallel barriers. A comparison with the results for reflective barriers indicates a significant improvement in sound attenuation of up to 4 dBA. The values are similar and even superior to results reported by other authors regarding the effectiveness of absorptive treatments applied to parallel barriers, and furthermore, the proposed barriers offer an aesthetic element for environmental integration.

Living walls in indoor environments

“…66]), and structural insulation (support structure) requires greater attention [63]. Performance is also dependent on plant growth stage and health [67]. As these observations are mostly based on laboratory-based studies, the findings presented could be argued to be relatable to both exterior and interior applications.…”

A novel vertical greenery module system for building envelopes: The results and outcomes of a multidisciplinary research project

“…This kind of technological solution is able to provide different beneficial effects: during the cooling season, thanks to the shading effect of the leaves and the evapotranspiration of the plants, the entering loads are lowered [10], while, during the heating season, it can contribute to reducing heat losses and improving surface thermal resistance, because of the wind reduction in the vicinity of the wall [11,12], to increasing the sound insulation of the wall [13,14] and reducing the environmental impact of the buildings [15][16][17]. At an urban level, VGSs are able to filter pollution [18], to sequester CO2 [19], to reduce urban sound propagation [20][21][22], to give a pleasant aesthetical aspect to a building, to improve the bio-diversity [23] and to mitigate the urban heat island effect (UHI) [24,25]. The species used in outdoor living walls vary to a great extent, depending on the location, on the exposure to the sun and wind and on the height of the building [26].…”

Motorway Route Planning with Regarding the Adverse Effects on Agricultural Production Space

“…The application of the proposed method for the selection of a motorway design variant does not imply an increase in the project implementation costs. A shift of overbridges to another location may not generate additional costs, and the introduction of protective vegetation belts in selected locations can also be combined with measures that limit other consequences of a motorway construction, e.g., noise [49].…”