PROGRESS IN THE REDUCTION OF NOISE FROM ROAD TRANSPORT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Three initiatives originated or sponsored by the government of the U.K. related to the reduction of noise from road transport are described, including overall cost and effect of the three programs and the direction of future policy. The Quiet Heavy Vehicle Project (1971) was a five-year project to develop and build prototypes of two quiet heavy vehicles (one with a 250 bhp engine, the other with a 350 bhp engine); the goal was a noise level of 82 dB(A), lower than for most current European passenger cars. The project has been a technical success, but it is uncertain whether the noise reduction will ever be realized on the roads. The government has established noise control guidelines for local planning authorities, resulting in widespread cooperation between planning and environmental authorities. Government noise insulation regulations mandate highway authorities to provide for the insulation of houses exposed to certain levels of traffic noise because of new or improved roads, as well as protection for properties against construction noise. Many new road designs have incorporated features such as earth mounds and noise barriers to reduce the need for insulation. The Darlington Quiet Town Experiment was established to demonstrate the potential for noise reduction at home and in public places by education, publicity, and experimental schemes (truck parks, silencers for air brakes, low-noise road surfaces). The project is still at an early stage.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Also published in HS-029 192 (SAE-SP-456), "Vehicle Noise Regulation and Reduction," Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 1980 pp 87-90. Presented at SAE Congress and Exposition, Detroit, 27 February-3 March 1978.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

    400 Commonwealth Drive
    Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
  • Authors:
    • Taylor, R
  • Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: 4 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00386649
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 780386, HS-029 203
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: Jun 28 1984 12:00AM