Contextual Design of Road Traffic Noise Reducing Devices

Abstract

The authors present the first ideas of contextual design (CD) of noise barriers (NB), which integrates acoustic, architectural, environmental, and economic aspects of a holistic approach to the design of these engineering structures. The paper presents an example of an economic subsystem of CD focused on the economical optimization of NBs with an emphasis on the circular economy. It also demonstrates the significant potential of NBs to improve the architectural visual appearance of built-up areas as essential spatial elements and improve the microclimate of their surroundings. The authors focused on comparing the costs of construction of NB with acoustic elements made of the most used materials in the Slovak Republic: aluminium, chipped cement, transparent NB, and NB made of recycled plastic. The comparisons show that the most cost-effective option is a noise barrier made of recycled plastic. Despite the higher cost, its higher sound absorption and the environmental durability of the acoustic elements are decisive. The use of secondary raw materials is also a significant advantage of CD. Waste plastics, mainly from municipal waste, are used for production, making it possible to recycle 100 % of them again.

The World’s Oldest Pavements and in the Town Žilina Into the Context Within Municipal Engineering

“…Based on the evaluated mechanical characteristics of the MS road surface, it can be concluded that even in 2024, the implemented road meets the criterion for protection against the adverse effects of frost, even when considering climate changes [25,26]. Additionally, it exhibits low levels of particulate matter [27] and noise pollution [28], adhering to the principles of pavement contextual design [29].…”

Green Infrastructure: Legislative and Behavioral Approaches in the Context of Urban Engineering

“…From the above, we can clearly see the authors' perception of green infrastructure as an integral part of the quality of life. Currently, when designing integrated transport infrastructure, the priority focus is on its safety [5], [6], minimizing negative environmental impacts [7] to [9], preference for urban transport [10], and only marginal attention is paid to its influence on psychological health, in which green infrastructure can play a significant positive role.…”

Identification of Hybrid Polymer Material STERED and Basic Material Properties Used in Road Substructures or Pavements

“…In the field of sustainability of material and environmental engineering of transportation structures, the authors address the possibilities of using industrial waste (waste from automotive production) in roadway structures and noise barriers [ 11 , 12 ]. In the course of the production of automobiles and their textile parts, as well as in the recycling of vehicles at the end of their service life, which involves separated textile parts, a variety of textile materials with different specific qualities are produced.…”