Design of noise barriers for the mitigation of construction noise

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. 698-702
Author(s):  
Heow Pueh Lee

Noise pollution is a major problem in many major cities in particular a small island state like Singapore with residential buildings very close to the major trunk roads and expressways. The problem is aggravated by the ongoing city redevelopment and construction of new mass rapid transit lines. Construction noise is therefore a common theme of public complaints and therefore there is an increased interest in the development of more effective mitigation measure for construction noise. In this work, a Flat-tip jagged-edge profile was investigated and applied on the edge of a cantilever (slanted up for 45 degrees, facing the noise source) which was mounted at the top of a passive noise barrier. Besides the numerical simulations, the full sized prototypes were also experimentally tested on a construction sites with noise generated by a boring machine. Both numerical simulations and experimental results showed that this barrier with a slanted Flat-tip jagged cantilever would perform better than the traditional barrier having a Straight-edge cantilever of same height, with a maximum additional attenuation of 5.0 dBA experimentally obtained. The barrier with slanted Flat-tip jagged cantilever could also extend the shadow zone behind the barrier to higher levels of the building.

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-100
Author(s):  
Suzanne Maas ◽  
Maria Attard

AbstractMalta is a small island state home to nearly half a million inhabitants. It is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean, with visitor numbers totalling 2.6 million in 2018. There are 799 vehicles for every thousand inhabitants and the modal split shows a 74.6% reliance on the car. Ownership and use of private cars are at an all-time high in Malta. This dependence on the car has increased congestion and given rise to parking issues in many localities, taken-up limited space in the urban area, increased air and noise pollution, and created accessibility problems for pedestrians and cyclists. Shared mobility services (bicycle, car, scooter sharing) have been introduced in Malta very recently. Malta is one of the case study sites in the CIVITAS DESTINATIONS project, which focused on sustainable mobility in tourist destinations. As part of the project, a survey was conducted to understand the awareness and acceptance of these shared mobility services by Maltese residents (n = 1,100). Insights from this survey used to understand user needs and perceptions in light of such mobility innovations and what might encourage people to start using them as an alternative to private car use.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gino J. Naldi

Since its founding in 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) has placed special emphasis on the preservation of the territorial integrity of African states. It has actively contributed to the development of relevant rules of international law, such as that of uti possidetis. Its opposition to the fragmentation of states has been absolute. However, the small island state of Comoros has challenged this state of affairs. The seemingly successful secession of ‘Anjouan’ has threatened the cherished principles of the OAU. This article critically analyzes the relationship between the principles at the heart of the dispute, those of self-determination and uti possidetis, and concludes that there is no legal proscription on the secession of ‘Anjouan’.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xsitaaz Twinkle Chadee ◽  
Ricardo Marcus Clarke

The standard air density of 1.225 kg m−3 is often used in determining the energy output of a wind turbine although the energy output is dependent on a site's air density. By using measurements of temperature, dew-point temperature, and pressure, we calculate the monthly air density of moist tropical climates at two sites in the small-island state of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, we calculate the energy output of a BOREAS 30 kW small wind turbine using the 10 m level wind speed distribution extrapolated to hub height. The average air densities at Crown Point and Piarco were 1.156 kg m−3 and 1.159 kg m−3, respectively, and monthly air densities at both sites were at most 6% less than standard air density. The difference in energy output of the BOREAS 30 kW calculated using standard air density over that using the local site's air density could provide electrical energy for the continuous monthly operation of 6 light bulbs rated at 50 W at Crown Point and 4 light bulbs at Piarco. Thus, communities interested in implementing wind turbine technologies must use the local air density of the site when sizing a wind turbine system for its needs.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-130
Author(s):  
Salih Katircioglu

This paper empirically investigates long‐run equilibrium relationship and causality between international trade and economic growth in North Cyprus, which has a non‐recognized state and suffers from the Cyprus problem for more than 40 years. Results reveal that long‐run equilibrium relationship exists between international trade variables (exports and imports of goods and services) and economic growth in this small island state. The present study also validates the existence of export‐led growth hypothesis in Northern Cyprus while it rejects the validity of import‐led growth hypothesis. Finally, this study has shown that Turkish Cypriots should improve not only services exports but also merchandise exports in to contribute to its economy further. Santrauka Straipsnyje, remiantis empiriniais duomenimis, tyrinejama ilgalaike pusiausvyra bei priežastinis ryšys tarp tarptautines prekybos ir ekonominio augimo Šiaures Kipre, kuris yra nepripažintas ir kenčia del šios politines problemos daugiau negu 40 metu. Empirinio tyrimo rezultatai leidžia teigti, kad tarp tarptautines prekybos rodikliu (prekiu ir paslaugu eksporto bei importo) bei ekonominio augimo šioje mažoje saloje vyrauja ilgalaike pusiausvyra. Tyrimas patvirtina hipoteze apie eksporto kaip ekonominio augimo veiksnio svarba, bet paneigia importo itaka nagrinejamos mažos šalies pletrai. Autorius ragina skatinti ne tik paslaugu, bet ir produkcijos eksporta norint pasiekti spartesni ekonomikos augimo masta Šiaures Kipre.


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