Controlling construction and traffic noise

Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, construction consortium VeenIX is widening the A9 between the junctions Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht. Near Amstelveen, the highway will be deepened over a length of 1.6 kilometers. For such a large infrastructure project, it is quite usual to make a noise prognosis of the construction noise in advance. VeenIX therefore contacted Alcedo at an early stage to test the potential construction and traffic noise and to minimize it wherever possible. 

Such an intervention as here on the A9 logically involves quite a bit of construction noise. "The Building Code describes the rules regarding construction noise," says Gertie Spiegelenberg of Alcedo. "VeenIX must conform to this and demonstrate that the assessment framework of the Building Code is met, by means of a noise forecast." 

Noise model

For the A9, Alcedo calculates the noise impact of the work on the surrounding area every six months during that period. "From VeenIX, we sometimes receive a list of many hundreds of activities that we translate and convert into a noise model and test against the Building Code," Gertie explains. "If the limit value is exceeded for a particular task, we test it against the Amstelveen municipality's assessment framework. They have drawn up a separate exemption regime, so that an exemption can still be granted. The latter, however, under conditions that the most low-noise technology is demonstrably applied."

Low-noise techniques

Construction consortium VeenIX is investing very heavily in low-noise techniques to keep things as pleasant as possible for the surrounding area. "For example, no piles are driven for the sunken location in the heart of Amstelveen and equipment is carefully selected for the night hours, such as the use of a pincer instead of a demolition hammer. The advantage, moreover, is that the noise moves with such a project. Work is not done continuously in the same place. In addition, the traffic on the A9 also continues. So sometimes the construction work is not even noticed," notes Gertie. "VeenIX has been underway for a few years now and to date there have been very few complaints about noise from the surrounding area." 

In addition to construction noise, Alcedo also tests traffic noise from the diversions. At various locations, the A9 is being temporarily relocated. "In the various temporary phases, the noise from the A9 may not be higher than in the situation Tracébesluit 2010. Sensors and instruments are used to monitor whether construction and traffic noise remain within limits. This is all done remotely," Gertie concludes.