Evaluation of a Noise Barrier Project with Critical Neighbours

The Danish Road Directorate established a noise barrier along the E45 in Frederikshavn, Denmark in 2012 with the objective to reduce noise in a residential area. The noise barrier reduced the number of noise exposed dwellings with more than 50 %. The residents along the road were informed during the whole process including planning, design and construction where the Road Directorate created high visibility and information flow through the press and individual mails. It was the general impression that the dialog with the neighbours went well but by the end of the project critical articles appeared in the local press where some of the residents expressed their unsatisfaction with the new noise barrier. Therefore the Road Directorate ordered a detailed evaluation of the project which included; 1) analysis of the communication process, 2) technical analysis, 3) qualitative data collection through interviews and postal questionnaires among the affected neighbours. This paper presents the findings of the evaluation project. It also includes a list of specific recommendations for optimization of dialog with neighbours. The recommendations are not only beneficial for similar noise barrier projects but also gives input for improved communication during other projects where residents are part of the process.