The application of Solar-Noise Barriers for UK highways and their combined benefits for local government, developers and the wider community
Invited paper
Sound Barrier Solutions Ltd
Monday 1 june, 2015, 14:40 - 15:00
0.2 Berlin (90)
Abstract:
As a concept, solar power generating noise barriers offer the potential for
heavily subsidised durable high performance noise mitigation as well a
sustainable source of ongoing local power generation. Not only would this be
attractive to transport agencies but also to local government planning, large-
scale housing developers and the wider community. This paper considers the
design of hybrid solar-noise barriers for UK highways with specific reference
to current design schemes for the M4 motorway and A419 near Swindon and the
M40 corridor. Solar-noise barrier designs were optimised to give the best
combined noise mitigation and solar power generation such that the ongoing
revenue from generated power would potentially cover the cost of the noise
barrier schemes completely.