Noise barriers

Noise is a widespread environmental problem in Sweden, where one of the most disturbing sources of noise is road traffic, according to an environmental health report from the Swedish Public Health Agency. For landowners affected by road traffic noise, there are solutions that can increase the value of the land and improve the environment. 

Noise can be divided into societal noise and occupational noise depending on where it occurs. The most common sources of noise outdoors are road, rail and air traffic. Landowners and private individuals who experience noise problems often report them to the municipality’s environmental administration, especially when parts of a property are close to a busy road. 

“Building a noise barrier is often an effective way to reduce noise levels,” says Fredrik Tell, Head of Business Development at Sortera Syd.

Usable land through smart design 

When Sortera is hired for noise reduction measures, the ambition is always to create a solution that gives the land maximum usability. By building a noise barrier with a steep side towards the road and a more sloping side towards, for example, a residence, the land can be used both as noise protection and as a garden, horse paddocks or for car parking.

“This allows the land or property owner to use the land in new ways,” explains Tell.

Increased value and reduced noise 

A noise barrier requires both space and large amounts of material to be an effective solution. Sortera collects material from excavation work on construction and civil engineering projects and adapts the handling to both quantity and content.

“We handle everything from clean materials to materials with high levels of contamination. To find the best disposal solution, we need a clear picture of the material and its contamination levels,” says Tell. “If the land and materials are suitable for a noise barrier, the landowner can obtain both a higher value for their property and reduced noise.”

“Sortera often offers a comprehensive concept where we handle all steps in the process – from the permit application and the collection of materials to the construction and modification of the embankment, often at no cost to the landowner,” says Fredrik Tell.

¹ (Scource: Karolinska institutet, https://ki.se/imm/miljomedicinsk-riskbedomning/riskwebben/buller)