Lowering the volume on noise pollution
The 'New road construction concept' (NR2C) project addressed the urgent need to create a global vision for roads of the future, bringing together — in a single research process — an approach to both technological and societal problems. The EU-funded initiative developed a number of concepts related to lessening noise levels and pollutants for a greener, more human, reliable, safer and smarter road infrastructure.These included design models and maintenance processes with a view to reconciling future transport needs, expected users and social demands, and sustainability goals. 'Multimodal and multilevel design models' of streets was developed as a conceptual instrument for supporting cooperation of those involved in street design. Researchers also investigated innovative technological solutions such as noise-mitigating road infrastructures, with developments being tested on the motorway in urban and suburban traffic conditions. The structures were designed to perform different functions for lessening acoustic pollution in accordance with the 'character' of the road. Ecotechnic road systems (ERSs) is a modular concept for noise reducing solutions. The team used feasibility studies to develop low-noise pavement and anti-noise barrier subsystems, and developed solutions dealing with the control/abatement of air and water pollutants. They also explored solutions for road traffic pollutants. The NR2C project concluded that no one street or public space design model is more reliable or sympathetic than another. Solutions and concepts provide a means for imagining the various ways different design models can function, among others, 'accessibility', 'sympathy' and 'reliability'.