Shortlist revealed in barrier competition

The Highways Agency has revealed the shortlist for its competition to design and produce noise barriers that can be used on the strategic road network.

Six shortlisted proposals, which were submitted as part of an initial feasibility study, offer a wide range of ideas to reduce noise while offsetting production and installation costs by generating electricity.

The successful suppliers, which include Arup/URS, Atkins and WSP/PB, now have until the end of May to prepare submissions for approval to a team of Highways Agency structural engineers, who will select the best designs to be worked up as prototypes.

The Highways Agency, working in partnership with the M40 Chiltern Environmental Group, (M40 CEG) Wycombe District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, is supporting product developments that can be installed at sites on the M40 and potentially other parts of England’s strategic road network in future.

Mike Wilson, chief highway engineer at the Highways Agency, said: “We have noise barriers on our network and solar powered signs but to combine the two would be a first in England.

“Our transport related engineering advice and research framework suppliers have used their in-house resources to run the competition and engage with their supply chain, seeking out innovative companies in order to identify the best solutions for renewable energy noise barriers.

“Our objective is to develop cost effective noise barriers to improve community quality of life through reduced road traffic noise. We also want to develop designs that achieve this through low carbon energy production.”

The initial barrier proposals were evaluated by the partnership, who shortlisted the six solutions announced today.

 

Pictured: Indicative image of one of the six proposals, courtesy of Atkins.