Reducing noise accumulation in urban areas is a considerable challenge within the EU. High population density and a high concentration of transport in European cities increase the accumulation of noise. To this effect a high noise load is the consequence.
In a recent research supporting programme the EU has set a high value on extenuating noise lowering in urban areas. A member of the Union of European Road Research Institutes (FEHRL) arsenal research stands at the forefront within the integrated project "SILENCE" which will run until 2008. In this project, an interdisciplinary group of approximately 50 partners from research, industry and municipalities aims to devise new methods to register, assess and lower urban noise. Such measures range from the simulation of traffic noise to site-specific noise reduction programs and suggestions for urban planning. Arsenal research will introduce it’s know-how in the field noise emission of road surfaces.
manfred.haider@ait.ac.at