home > news > 21 january 2008

Noise and vibration issues in urban developments - a new CIRIA project

Noise and vibration issues have to be carefully addressed when building new infrastructure or undertaking developments next to infrastructure. for example, noise and vibration generated by transport may compromise adjacent buildings, particularly with respect to environmental issues.

Construction industry professionals involved in these situations need to be able to manage the issues, commission experts for advice and explain to clients the issues involved and the options available, their pros and cons and the risk judgements to be made.

Likewise, others involved in decision-making need to understand the issues and be able to engage with each other and with experts to arrive at reasonable, practical decisions.

This new project will aim to provide practical advice on how to address the subject and come to sensible decisions. The discussion of methodology and of criteria (ie performance levels to be met) will be an essential part of the work and it is anticipated that the guidance will become a key reference for discussions on construction projects for both developments and infrastructure.

Specific aims are to:

1. provide a common source of reference giving consolidated, usable, practical information for the target audience
2. provide technical guidance reflecting the current understanding of the technical issues and accepted reasonable approaches to decision-making and execution
3. help to reduce and/or clarify contentious elements of the planning process
4. facilitate housing/transport development to have an acceptable environmental impact
5. provide new insights into the issues to be addressed, both at an early stage and during design and execution, and the technical options available
6. give clear guidelines on mitigation measures to assist developers and infrastructure owners
7. encourage and increase sustainability
8. identify objective and acceptable criteria in relation to noise and vibration for the location of infrastructure adjacent to residential properties and vice versa
9. provide examples of good practice.

This project is funded by the Research and Development Fund of the Institution of Civil Engineers, CIRIA Core Members, the Rail Safety and Standards Board, Argent Group and Transport Scotland. CIRIA have appointed Mott MacDonald as research contractor and a Project Steering Group of experts has been formed. Please contact Alan Gilbertson for further information about this project.

Contact CIRIA Alan Gilbertson CIRIA Consultant +44 (0) 7971 506 348

 

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