Updating a Highway Eyesore
Highway traffic noise is a major problem for some communities, and a quality sound barrier protecting them from that noise pollution is a necessity, but along some stretches of highway, sub-par barriers are beginning to show their age and poor value.
Acoustical Solutions, Inc. recently teamed up with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to begin solving the highway noise problem along I-280 in Newark close to the Stickel Bridge.
Application Introduction
The sound wall in Newark, N.J. separating the constant drone of I-280's traffic from condominiums was failing on two fronts.
Firstly, it was literally falling apart, but more importantly, it wasn't reducing traffic noise in the adjacent community, which was its intended purpose.
Knowing the New Jersey Department of Transportation was looking to repair the useless eyesore, a sales team at Acoustical Solutions, Inc. submitted information explaining how it could help the NJDOT.
"The original wall just wasn't cutting it," said Josh Oliver, a Technical Sales Representative at Acoustical Solutions. "We knew we could help and we wanted to get up there and show them what we could do."
Treatment Provided
After an Acoustical Solutions team made a presentation in New Jersey, NJDOT officials asked for a sample of the proposed AcustiFiber™ Wall System.
The AcoustiFiber™ wall will provide the needed sound reduction for congested traffic areas, retail areas and industrial applications around gas compressor stations, electric transformers, cooling towers, chillers, compressors and more.
Also, it is made from material that will not corrode, rust or rot, and it is graffiti, moisture and freeze thaw resistant, meaning that once it is installed, the AcoustiFiber™ Wall maintains its aesthetic beauty for 50+ years of service life.
Results
The sample of the AcustiFiber™ wall was put in place of an existing portion of older wall, and while it was meant only to be a sample, the small section actually significantly reduced the amount of noise on the other side.
Additionally, the overall look of the wall was much improved. Acoustical Solutions plans to replace the remaining sections of the decaying sound wall in the coming months.
For more information on this application, contact Josh Oliver.
