Context

A Highways England project involves converting motorways into smart motorways – stretches of highway which uses active traffic management (ATM) to increase capacity by the use of variable speed limits and hard shoulder running.

Project details

Work had begun to upgrade a busy 6.5-mile stretch of the M20 to an all-lane running smart motorway, to benefit road users, national infrastructure and business. However, without appropriate demarcation, the increased traffic would impact the quality of life of local residents and affect the environment.

As part of a commitment to improving residential, health and environmental conditions for those in close proximity of highways projects – and to ensure that important corporate social responsibility criteria are met – Highways England approached Barkers to install absorptive noise barriers between junctions.

Product supplied

Acoustic Barrier Posts mitigated the risk of noise and atmospheric pollution to nearby communities and nature by eliminating certain sound waves and significantly reducing overall noise. Being a flexible product designed for uninhabited landscapes, these noise barriers could accommodate the varying topography along the M20.

The route was carefully analysed to ascertain where more or less barrier product was required. This enabled Barkers to maximise performance whilst remaining in the Highways England budget. Barkers also advised how barriers of varying sizes would best join to make the route as aesthetically-pleasing and professional-looking as possible.