The use of barriers in transport noise control and bio-barrier applications

Road traffic noise is the source of environmental noise where the highest exposure is observed due to the propagation of the road network into urban space. In urban areas, due to the close encounter of the road network with the users, the level of exposure increases and noise control arises as an obligation. Effective noise control can be achieved by expanding the scope of application of measures to be taken on components that affect noise generation. Noise barriers provide an effective solution in noise control by being positioned independently between source and receiver, having a wide range of applications and applying them to current needs in accordance with calculation principles. In barrier designs, artificial materials such as wood, metal, concrete, block, plastic, glass or natural materials such as earth fill and vegetation can be used. In urban areas, quality of life can be improved by using the functional features of plants, in order to improve the environmental conditions, which have negative effects due to high construction density. It is known that the space requirement of natural materials to provide effective results in noise control is higher than that of artificial materials. Due to the absence of wide spaces in urban areas, bio-barriers designed to incorporate plants into their structures; provides an alternative solution to the use of plant material. In bio-barrier applications, construction systems are used to build structural and vegetal material layers together. As a result of the researches, it was determined that there are differences in the classification of bio-barrier construction system in academic studies and system types are not considered as holistic. The confusion of information on bio-barriers causes these systems to be used for only aesthetic purposes and prevents to become widespread of these applications. The aim of the study is, to eliminate the confusion related to the classification of construction systems and to classify the applications systematically in order to spread the bio-barrier application areas. Within the scope of the study, the contents of bio-barrier construction systems defined in the reference sources were evaluated and construction systems were gathered under common titles and the scope of the system was improved by researching industrial products other than academic studies.