Programbeskrivning, detaljerad (endast engelsk text)

2 The approach
The approach developed in this programme involves the use of optimised soundscapes. This approach is believed to be a solution to the traffic noise problem when added to the present and future development of the emission sources. The programme focuses on creating the scientific bases and producing the appropriate tools for using and optimising the soundscapes in residential areas and in other restorative environments, enabling a more efficient noise abatement and achievement of sustainable and healthier sound environment. The programme is based on new interdisciplinary research strategies involving city- and traffic planning, acoustics, psychology and environmental medicine.

The approach uses the link between health (including wellbeing) and perceived soundscapes (direct links to acoustic soundscapes also exist for some effects, e.g. speech interference and awakening) for optimising the soundscapes in urban areas. It involves the steps illustrated by the block diagram below.

A number of Application Examples have played a central role in the programme Phase 1 development and in the evaluation of the effects of changes of soundscapes. The goal has been to test the strategic approach of the programme on the Application Examples and to demonstrate that an optimised design of the soundscapes from the point of view of perception and health can be realised and that the effects can be assessed and represent a significant improvement.

Type A examples are examples of pairs of building areas, one of which where residents are subjected to a soundscape including at least one indoor/outdoor side exposed to high noise levels (from traffic) and at least one indoor/outdoor quiet side, the other where residents are subjected to a soundscape with a moderate sound level throughout. Type B examples are examples of building areas in which the residents are today exposed to high noise levels throughout the soundscape and which will be subjected to renewal leading to an access by the residents to a quiet side of the living space, and to at least one quiet outdoor area, still leaving one side of the living space as noisy as before the renewal. Four full-scale type A examples and one full-scale type B example have been utilised.

4 Results of the programme Phase 1
The results of the research so far indicate that the aims of Phase 1 are met in terms of

• Evidence that health and wellbeing benefits are achievable by application of the soundscape concept to residential areas (illustrated by the Application Examples).
• Technical methods and models for prediction and design of acoustic soundscapes.
• Methods for measuring perceived soundscapes and evaluation of the efficiency of various mitigation measures.
• Demonstration of the feasibility of a new strategic overall design for carrying out multi-disciplinary research in field studies
• Demonstration of the feasibility of using soundscaping in residential areas with respect to technical possibilities, economy, and interference with other demands on city and traffic planning
• Suggestions for revision of targets for a sustainable development of a healthy acoustic environment in residential areas, taking advantage of the possibilities to achieve this by utilising soundscaping
• Suggestions for health indicators (for sleep, restoration, communication and annoyance) for road traffic noise to be used for follow up of health related environmental goals and for estimation of risk assessment of health effects in infrastructure projects involving road traffic

We have made a number of findings of significance for the application of the soundscape concept, especially related to creation of quiet sides. Of special importance for the further development in Phase 2 has been that

• Distant sources, especially distant traffic noise can significantly influence the sound levels at quiet sides of the dwellings. Barriers for noise reduction can effectively reduce noise in nearby areas but may have no or even negative effect on noise in quiet areas at larger distances.
• The perception of a certain reduction in sound level is different for quiet and exposed sides of buildings.

5 Goals of Phase 2

• Full-scale demonstration of the benefits of application of the soundscape concept in residential areas
• Broadening of the soundscape concept to management of the sound environment in city and traffic planning, especially application to restorative environments
• Laboratory evaluation of systematic variation of parameters of importance to acoustic and perceived soundscapes, including study of the effects on soundscapes of various noise mitigation methods
• Activities for getting from the research results to creation of healthy soundscapes

Considerable resources are devoted to demonstrate that the concept can be successfully implemented in practical full-scale intervention of residential areas. The scientific background, models and methods for extension of the application of the soundscape concept to restorative environments are developed. Laboratory evaluation methods are used in order to develop methods and tools for use in practical application of the soundscape concept in various situations (toolbox for users). They will also be used for modification of the models and tools for taking into account rail-bound traffic noise.

The results have been used together with the results of Phase 1 as basic material for the presentation of knowledge related to the Soundscape concept in an Internet portal.

Full-scale demonstration of the soundscape concept in residential areas

Good and convincing examples of successfully applying the soundscape concept and our other results from Phase 1 in actual new-buildings and in intervention in existing residential areas is a prerequisite for achieving the goals of a broad future utilisation of our results. It is also essential for catching an interest from media, which is important for reaching some of the user groups.

One such example where we are involved will be accomplished during Phase 2. The final studies after the intervention will be performed in Spring 2009.

Broadening of the soundscape concept to management of the sound environment in city and traffic planning, especially application to restorative environments

Phase 1 has been limited to the specific combination of dwellings and road traffic. The needs and ambitions of the communities, partly based on requirements on a programme for improving the sound environments in densely populated regions, are not limited to dwellings and road traffic. It also includes noise from rail-bound traffic and the sound environment in other than residential areas within the city where it is of vital importance for the citizen to have access to restorative environments and quiet areas. The research has been broadened to include application of the soundscape concept to such areas.

As a result of the EU Directive 2002/49/EC, a process in the city and traffic planning for improving the sound environment in European communities will take place during the coming decade. Availability of models and methods for application of the soundscape concept to residential and restorative areas subjected to road and rail traffic noise will be important for a successful progress in this process.

Access to restorative environments, free from intense traffic noise, is vital to health and wellbeing, particularly because psychological restoration is needed to counteract stress. In city and traffic planning, a global perspective on the city soundscapes is essential. It is important to citizens’ health and wellbeing that restorative environments are available not only in and around the dwellings but also in recreational areas (e.g. parks), in schoolyards, etc. By providing the scientific background, models and methods for utilising the soundscape concept also in such areas, we will significantly improve the possibilities to use city and traffic planning in management of traffic noise.

Restorative and quiet environments are even more important to young children than to adults. Children depend on adults providing them with surroundings that support healthy development and learning and living. A good outdoor environment for children to play has a positive effect on children’s motor ability and cognitive development. Children may be more susceptible to adverse effects of traffic noise. Observed effects of noise include stress-related psycho-physiological effects, impaired cognitive function and speech intelligibility, raised blood-pressure (observed for aircraft noise), annoyance and sleep disturbances.

Laboratory evaluation of the effects of noise mitigation methods on soundscapes

The program has included a systematic evaluation of separate perceptual and acoustic characteristics of the soundscapes as a basis for a detailed description of what constitutes “good” soundscapes in different environments.

From the research results to creation of healthy soundscapes

Education of target groups
Important target groups for implementation of the soundscape concept and transmission of necessary knowledge for skilled application of the concept are

• Students at universities, especially in the field of civil engineering. These are potential future city and traffic planners, acoustic engineers, and specialists in environmental engineering
• Today’s city and traffic planners responsible for future development of city and traffic infrastructure
• Acoustic engineers working with different aspects of traffic noise
• Architects and building companies
• Decision makers concerned with traffic, housing, and city planning

The material presented in our Internt portal is supposed to

• trigger “thinking in soundscapes”
• transfer the main important findings of the projects (e.g. relation among acoustic soundscapes, perceived soundscapes and health) to people concerned with traffic noise and health, city and traffic planning
• supply models and methods to experts

Influencing international, national, regional and local bodies responsible for rules concerning environmental noise
We have got a good response in communicating our results and ideas to the various levels of important users and decision makers. Due to the present un-sustainable situation of increasing traffic noise problems in our cities, in spite of efforts to reduce the noise emission from vehicles, we meet increasing interests in finding solutions that can reverse the negative trend in a short and medium term perspective. There is an increasing awareness that health-oriented soundscaping is an attractive solution.

The EU Directive 2002/49/EC demands that communities provide a programme for managing the traffic noise problems. This is catching more and more attention accompanied with increasing needs for sustainable solutions including preserving quiet areas in the forthcoming years.

One of the challenges in getting from the research results to creation of healthy soundscapes is that we must reach, influence and get the acceptance from a very broad range of users and decision makers. The figure below shows some examples of users and decision makers involved at various levels and stages of development.

Communication with users and decision makers
Changes and additions to relevant directives, regulations, guidelines and health-based noise indicators are important for bringing the research results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 to broad application in new-building and intervention of residential areas as well as in city and traffic planning. Concurrently with the research results, proposals for changes and additions have been transmitted to the bodies responsible for relevant directives, regulations and guidelines.

Another important factor is that the results and the soundscape concept are known to and appreciated by persons involved in practical building and city and traffic planning activities. Communication with users and decision makers is a key element in implementing the results of Phase 1 and Phase 2. The communication goal is to promote soundscaping as a natural element to be included in city and traffic planning. This is a prerequisite for getting closer to our vision that every citizen shall have access to health-supportive soundscapes in and around their dwellings as well as have access to restorative and quiet environments.

A comprehensive strategic communication plan that has been developed during Phase 1 is implemented during Phase 2.