NOISE BARRIERS IN ONTARIO - AN EVOLUTION
At the 1979 RTAC Annual Conference, Mr. J. R. Wear, P. Eng. of our Ministry presented a paper entitled "Design of Noise Barriers" to the Noise Problems and Solutions Workshop. His paper outlined (a) the experience of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications in identifying noise impacts associated with constructing major transportation facilities, specifically freeways, and (b) means of providing a degree of relief. At that time the Ministry was still in the infancy stage in its attempts at controlling freeway traffic noise. Since then, we have improved our whole approach. We began using a much more reliable noise calculation method (computerized), we refined our methods to meet situations requiring either sound absorptive and sound reflective barriers, and designs incorporating various materials have been approved. To address the possibility of fire occurring along the highway, we now include fire hose access openings through the barriers in locations where direct access to hydrants is blocked by the barriers. In order to assist increasing numbers of potential manufacturers of noise barriers, we now provide them with specific formal design requirements. As aids to our designers, recently written procedures for estimating and documentation of noise barrier contracts and a draft Noise Barrier Design Manual have been prepared. A new comprehensive special provision covering all of our contractual requirements will further simplify the task of our construction staff. We are also continually striving to improve the aesthetics of our barriers, an issue which tends to become very subjective and personal. Finally, our involvement with other Ontario Ministries is increasing in an attempt to resolve difficulties with barriers built by developers of subdivisions adjacent to our highways, for which provincial design requirements have not been standardized nor rigidly applied. This paper for RTAC 1985 traces the highlights of this evolution. (Author)
-
Supplemental Notes:
- Papers presented during the Proceedings of the Roads and Transportation Association of Canada, Annual Conference, September 1985, Vancouver British Columbia. Volumes 1 and 2.
-
Corporate Authors:
Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
Ottawa, Ontario Canada -
Authors:
- Guibord, D G
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 1985
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p. 153-171
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Design standards; Forecasting; Noise barriers; Sound level; State of the art studies
- Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00453609
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: Volume 1
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jul 31 1986 12:00AM