Acoustics on large infrastructure projects

The conference held by the Royal Society of London in May 2016 was a good mix of topics with practical and technical information. David Owen from Arup spoke on the Delivery of operational airborne sound, noise and vibration assessment for HS2 Phase 1 Environmental Statement. David highlighted the importance of the interface between disciplines, which, in the case of HS2, included those covering air quality, agriculture, community, ecology, heritage and landscape and visual. Gail Hitchens and Humphrey Roberts-Powell (Jacobs) gave HS2 a run for its money in terms of scale in the form of a case study on Wylfa Newydd, a new nuclear generating station of 2,700 MW, speaking on the topic of Maximising value with multipurpose monitoring. Sue Fitton and Richard Morris from National Grid, spoke on the topic of the Operational noise assessment for the Hinkley Point C Connection Project. Following an introduction to National Grid, which also owns and operates electricity and gas assets in the US, the Hinkley Point C Connection Project and operation noise assessment were outlined. After lunch, and under the chairmanship of Oliver Bewes (Arup), Emma Greenland (WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff) spoke on the topic of PA noise overspill from rail stations, with Jorge De Avillez and Andrew Steele noted as co-authors. Victor Krylov (Department of Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University) pointed to a very interesting presentation on the Assessment of locations along the proposed HS2 routes that are likely to experience ground vibration boom from high-speed trains.