Overview
Noise Reducing Devices (like barriers, claddings, covers, and added devices following EN14388) play an important role in noise reduction: optimising their global performance is of major concern towards Sustainable Surface Transport.
Its team integrates the relevant stakeholders: Infrastructures, Industry, Universities, Research Institutes and SME. It addresses important environmental and economic concerns and will contribute to promote EU Noise Reducing Devices's (NRD) industry.
QUIESST merged, for the very first time and within a true holistic approach, true intrinsic product characteristics, whatever their materials and shapes, together with their extrinsic ones, in order to assess their actual global capacities to reduce the amount of people exposed to noise. It will address 5 main topics:
- NEAR / FAR FIELD RELATIONSHIP: linking the intrinsic characteristics to the corresponding extrinsic far field effect;
- IN-SITU MEASUREMENT METHODS: developing methods relevant of the actual intended use, allowing long-term performances control;
- COMPARING NRD's PERFORMANCES with different test methods: building a database comparing both existing and new tests results and providing the relevant relationship;
- OPTIMIZING NRD's GLOBAL PERFORMANCE through a HOLISTIC APPROACH: considering acoustic, non- acoustic and global impact optimisation, multicriteria optimisation strategies, and possible global performance indicators;
- SUSTAINABILITY: defining the relevant generic criteria and developing the first existing NRD's overall sustainability assessment method.
The final verifiable result would be the ACTUAL USE of the Guidebook to NRD optimisation as a reference tool for noise mitigation. QUIESST addressed the call as it concerned surface transport noise abatement(road AND rail), considered the cost benefit analysis and addressed the END objectives, covered true holistic noise abatement solutions through wave propagation and systems for passive compensation. Its team, made of 14 partners from 9 countries, integrated the relevant stakeholders: Infrastructures, Industry, Universities, Research Institutes and SME.
Funding
Results
Scientists working on QUIESST studied both intrinsic and extrinsic product characteristics. Their aim was to enhance the capacity of NRDs (Noise-reducing devices) and reduce the number of people exposed to noise from both road and rail transport. They examined the link between the intrinsic properties of an NRD and their effect on noise propagation at a distance. A variety of in-situ measurement techniques were employed to assess sound absorption/reflection and airborne sound insulation for long-term performance control.
The first comprehensive EU database containing existing and new test results on NRDs was developed by investigators together with associated optimisation models. After characterising the issues, scientists optimised NRD global performance by considering multiple performance criteria, including non-acoustic and acoustic characteristics.
The study led to the first overall sustainability assessment regarding NRDs for a truly holistic approach to surface transport noise reduction. Project outcomes were showcased in a comprehensive reference guidebook about NRD holistic optimisation that included reference to associated databases, simulation techniques, measurement methodologies and recommendations.
As a conclusion, QUIESST successfully addressed the issue of sound propagation and optimised NRDs to minimise the number of people exposed to noise from road and rail transport. The guidebook detailing measurement and modelling techniques, optimisation methods and recommendations promised to have major impact on the quality of life of EU citizens.
Innovation aspects
The Project contained for the first time an overall sustainability assessment in relation to Noise-reducing devices for a truly holistic approach towards surface transport noise reduction. A reference guidebook as an end result addressed these issues and further outlined the relevant topics and findings.
Policy implications
QUIESST replied to European policies requirements: the whole project clearly targeted the achievement of the END Directive main objectives, i.e.: not only noise reduction, but also the reduced amount of people exposed to noise.
On the other hand, the project clearly addressed the Construction Product Directive (CPD) and the new Construction Product Regulation (CPR) as well as the Directive on the Interoperability of transports, i.e.: the requirements to place products on the market only if they are fit for their intended use, and doing so in an economically reasonable working life, providing methods standards about essential characteristics that qualify products in a common, fair and relevant manner.
Strategy targets
Innovating for the future: Technology and behaviour.
A European Transport Research and Innovation Policy as well as promoting more sustainable development.