How do you assess the environmental impacts of roadside barriers on noise, air quality, and wildlife?

1 Noise reduction

Roadside barriers can help reduce traffic noise for nearby residents and sensitive areas, but they can also reflect and scatter sound waves in different directions. To assess the noise reduction potential of a barrier, you need to measure the sound levels before and after installing the barrier, and compare them with the noise standards and criteria for the area. You also need to consider the height, shape, material, and location of the barrier, and how they affect the sound propagation and attenuation.

3 Wildlife protection

Roadside barriers can also help protect wildlife by preventing or reducing animal-vehicle collisions, which can cause injuries, fatalities, and ecological damage. To assess the wildlife protection of a barrier, you need to identify the wildlife species and habitats that are present or potentially affected by the highway, and monitor their movements, behaviors, and population trends. You also need to consider the design, placement, and maintenance of the barrier, and how they affect the wildlife connectivity, permeability, and access to resources.

4 Barrier selection

Based on your assessment of the environmental impacts of roadside barriers, you can select the best barrier design for your project. There are different types of barriers, such as concrete, metal, wood, or vegetation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to balance the performance, cost, durability, and aesthetics of the barrier, and ensure that it meets the safety and engineering standards and specifications for the highway.

5 Mitigation measures

Even with the best barrier design, there may still be some residual or adverse environmental impacts that need to be mitigated. For example, you may need to install noise absorptive materials or acoustic treatments on the barrier surface, or use low-emission vehicles or alternative fuels to reduce emissions. You may also need to provide wildlife crossing structures, such as underpasses, overpasses, or culverts, or use wildlife deterrents or warning systems to reduce animal-vehicle collisions.

6 Monitoring and evaluation

Finally, you need to monitor and evaluate the environmental impacts of roadside barriers over time, and adjust your design or mitigation measures as needed. You can use various methods and tools, such as noise meters, air quality sensors, wildlife cameras, or traffic counters, to collect and analyze data on the noise, air quality, and wildlife conditions before and after installing the barrier. You can also use feedback from stakeholders, such as highway users, residents, or conservation groups, to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the barrier.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?