A noise barrier (also called a soundwall, sound berm, sound barrier, or acoustical barrier) is an exterior structure designed to protect inhabitants of sensitive land use areas from noise pollution. Noise barriers are the most effective method of mitigating roadway, railway, and industrial noise sources – other than cessation of the source activity or use of source controls.
In the case of surface transportation noise, other methods of reducing the source noise intensity include encouraging the use of hybrid and electric vehicles, improving automobile aerodynamics and tire design, and choosing low-noise paving material. Extensive use of noise barriers began in the United States after noise regulations were introduced in the early 1970s.
Read more about Noise Barrier: History, Theory of Design, Tradeoffs, See Also, References
Famous quotes containing the words noise and/or barrier:
“Soon, with a noise like tambourines,
Came her attendant Byzantines.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“To say that a thing has never yet been done among men is to erect a barrier stronger than reason, stronger than discussion.”
—Thomas Brackett Reed (1839–1902)