The vast logistics networks that connect the United Kingdom and the lorries that traverse its roads keep our countries running. Along these intertwining roadways they freight goods from all types of industries and deliver them in a timely manner, linking manufacturers, factories, warehouses, ports, and more to depots, retailers, and other businesses in enormous volumes every single day.
Countless terminals and lorry parks dot the roadways, with new temporary customs clearence facilities being planned providing drivers and businesses with vital points to store freight, transfer shipments to other businesses, hold drop trailers, inspect loads, and offer some rest on long journeys. While important to the industry, the activities that are undertaken at these facilities create a notoriously problematic level of noise that can cause issues to arise, including noise complaints and even the closure of the terminal.
In an environment where huge loads of freight are coming in and out constantly, noise is a predictable byproduct. There are many noise sources at lorry parks, including refrigerated trailers, idling vehicles, truck movements and general human activity.
Encroachment of housing on existing parks and new customs clearance facilities being built around the country close to existing villages also provide scope for conflict with local people, with residential zones coming within range of lorry park activity noise. Subsequent legal action may threaten the operation of the park, or lead to punitive measures being imposed, not to mention the health risks presented to workers, drivers, and the residents themselves as a result of dangerous environmental noise exposure, including anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment in children.
There are a range of solutions that can be applied to minimise these risks posed by noise at lorry parks. The installation of a sound barrier wall to screen environmental noise beyond the terminal perimeter and on isolated, idle noise sources like gensets. It is important to consider the sound barrier wall’s ability to absorb noise; it is undesirable for the wall to reflect noise back onto the terminal site.
Echo Barrier lightweight noise control systems accelerate the process of installing a noise barrier wall, while withstanding tough site conditions. The modular barriers can be assembled in a countless variety of configurations to match a site’s requirements and to considerably reduce noise levels from all sorts of noise sources in logistics, mining, construction, events, and more.
When there is a requirement to screen noise from tall noise sources Echo Barrier can be attached to a scaffold using the vertical fitting kit to build a high sound wall, always ensure weight and wind loading is taken into account.