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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/E00685X/1
Title: Noise Futures Network
Principal Investigator: Bristow, Professor AL
Other Investigators:
Kang, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Civil and Building Engineering
Organisation: Loughborough University
Scheme: Network
Starts: 01 June 2006 Ends: 30 November 2009 Value (£): 101,972
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Acoustics Design Processes
Urban & Land Management
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Noise is usually defined as unwanted sound . Environmental noise, including sounds from road/rail/air traffic, industries, construction, public work, and the neighbourhood, creates disturbance and distress. In the European Union around 32% of the population are exposed to road traffic noise and 10% to rail traffic noise above the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, whilst 10% are highly annoyed by air traffic noise. The latest study in the UK by the Building Research Establishment shows that approximately 54% of the population is exposed to day time noise levels above the WHO standard for daytime noise. Although individual sources of noise such as cars and planes have become quieter, this has been offset by rising traffic levels.Policy is aimed at measuring noise levels and controlling or reducing noise levels in order to meet targets and limits for exposure. What isn't addressed is the issue of the sounds we want to hear. What makes sounds attractive or unattractive? Can we find out? Then can we develop ways of measuring sound quality rather than noise? Ultimately can we design desirable soundscapes in the same way that we design buildings, lighting or landscape effects in urban areas? This network aims to bring together academics from a wide range of different disciplines, experts from industry and policy makers to explore these questions. Bringing people together should spark different ways of looking at problems and collaborative research ideas. The ultimate aim being to make the world sound better!
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
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Project URL: http://noisefutures.org/
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk