Natural and aesthetically pleasing noise barriers along the track

The Netherlands faces an enormous housing challenge: one million homes must be added in the next ten years. Anyone wishing to develop housing in built-up areas often ends up near railroad lines. There is or will often be 'space available' there, for example when old business or industrial sites are redeveloped. The countryside cannot be left behind either, which is why new construction projects are sometimes built next to railroad lines. Through the application of sustainable, natural Kokowall^® Sound screens from Kokosystems there is less noise pollution for local residents and it looks nice too!

Natural and sustainable sound barrier

"Our Kokowall^® Noise screens are entirely designed and manufactured in the Netherlands," says Arjan Kick, project manager at Kokosystems. The screens consist of 98.8% of recyclable materials and are categorized in the highest environmental class in terms of carbon footprint. Each screen contains a sound insulating plate that provides actual sound insulation. The outside of the screens are finished with coconut fibers that provide the ideal attachment for various types of climbing plants. "I would venture to say that it is one of the most attractive solutions for noise reduction. Consequently, the natural-looking and vegetable noise screen has a high acceptance rate in residential areas."

Residential neighborhood along the railroad tracks

Kick mentions two recent new construction projects along the railroad tracks, where his beautiful noise barriers are being installed. "In Bathmen, 16 houses are being built in a meadow next to the railroad. There we are placing a 115-meter-long screen of 2.5 meters high. At the Loyolalaan in Vught, where a project is being developed, a noise screen has been required as a result of an acoustic report by the municipality. There we are installing a screen 385 meters long and 4 meters high. Both Kokowall^® Noise barriers will have plantings on both sides."

Quick installation on small workspace

"With us, everything is made in-house, allowing us to approach projects on a turn-key basis. A quick installation at a site with little construction space is therefore no problem for us. Of course we have to meet certain conditions when working along the track, but a decommissioning is often not necessary. We like to think along in projects like this and ensure the safe installation of our screens."

Custom

Each project is unique. "Our products are ideally suited for customization," Kick continues. "The Kokowall^® Sound barrier is modular and therefore can be made in any size and color scheme. But we also think along with additional project-specific wishes or requirements, such as staggered construction of a noise barrier or with an earth retaining structure." Kick gives a good example of a custom project along the railroad in Wehl: "In this noise barrier, the posts were made extra long so that barbed wires could be stretched between the posts, for the purpose of safety around the railroad."