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Description
The programme is an examination of the legislation proposed in 1972 to control motorway noise nuisance. The film takes as a particular case study the M6 link through Birmingham as an example of the... effectiveness of the legislation and to explore the shortcomings as seen by us, the local councillors and residents. The programme illustrates the noise problem and the blight. It recreates some of the original research into the correlation between traffic noise and annoyance which was fundamental to the thinking in the proposed legislation. Two techniques of predicting motorway noise are illustrated in detail - and the effects of noise barriers and domestic insulation briefly shown. Research into the effects of noise on mental concentration is shown and it raises the criticism that the legislation takes no account of the damage/negative effects of noise on the subject of which they are consciously aware. Finally the film explores the significant effect that the cost of implementing the legislation will have on the economics of building motorways as against the forms of transport.
The programme is an examination of the legislation proposed in 1972 to control motorway noise nuisance. The film takes as a particular case study the M6 link through Birmingham as an example of the... effectiveness of the legislation and to explore the shortcomings as seen by us, the local councillors and residents. The programme illustrates the noise problem and the blight. It recreates some of the original research into the correlation between traffic noise and annoyance which was fundamental to the thinking in the proposed legislation. Two techniques of predicting motorway noise are illustrated in detail - and the effects of noise barriers and domestic insulation briefly shown. Research into the effects of noise on mental concentration is shown and it raises the criticism that the legislation takes no account of the damage/negative effects of noise on the subject of which they are consciously aware. Finally the film explores the significant effect that the cost of implementing the legislation will have on the economics of building motorways as against the forms of transport.
| Module code and title: | T100, The man-made world: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T100; 20; 1973 |
| First transmission date: | 05-05-1973 |
| Published: | 1973 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:22 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Edward Goldwyn |
| Contributors: | Keith Attenborough; John Charlton; Mike Delaney; Frank Reynolds |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Birmingham; Blight; Cost; Domestic insulation; Economics; M6; Motorway noise; Noise barriers; Transport |
| Footage description: | Several shots of heavy traffic on the M6 motorway at Birmingham. Commentary gives brief background of this motorway and discusses the problems, particularly noise, it causes. Shots of residential area next to the motorway. Resident explains the problems which the noise has caused her and family. Her comments are interspersed with shots of the area. Shots of motorway traffic taken from moving vehicle. Shot of pages of a government circular which laid out conditions under which compensation is paid to residents affected by motorway noise (and other traffic noise). Commentary explains the content. Shots of experimental noise barriers being erected along the motorway. Shots of a block of flats which has been fitted with sound insulating materials. Commentary explains the amount of noise reduction achieved. Shots of motorway traffic. Shots of a graph which shows differences between dB and dB(A). Shots of traffic and of a van from the Building Research Station, Garston, Herts. The van is taking noise monitoring equipment to selected households. Shots of equipment being installed. Commentary explains how the noise monitoring is carried out. Shots of a householder being interviewed to determine his reaction to traffic noise level. Shots of computer graph which plots median dissatisfaction scores from the noise survey against noise levels as monitored. The graph shows how the L10 over 18 hrs. dB(A) was arrived at. Shots of motorway traffic and an 18 hour L10 being recorded. Shots of another householder with an extreme traffic noise problem being interviewed. Shots of motorway traffic. Commentary gives level of traffic flow. A graph correlates amount of traffic with noise level at 75 kmp and then with a correction for actual average speed. The graph now correlates distance from motorway with noise level. Shots of a graph which predicts the amount of noise shielding given by barriers at side of motorway. Shots of a model of a housing development inside an anachoic chamber. Mike Delaney explains how noise level predictions can be made through simulations using the model. An experiment is carried out. The computer simulates a variety of traffic noise conditions Shots of motorway traffic. Frank Reynolds, Chief Public Health Inspector for Birmingham and John Charlton, Chairman of the Public Health Committee give their criticism of the standard for acceptable noise level as determined by simulations using models. Shots of M6 traffic at night. Graph shows measurement of noise during the period of midnight to 6 a.m. (the time excluded by the 18 hour L10). It shows a high noise level all through the night. Reynolds and Charlton continue their critique. They advocate 65 dB(A) as maximum. Shots of residential houses (inside and out). Commentary discusses the effect of various house components (windows etc.) on noise level. Shots of traffic in a Birmingham residential road which has become a major traffic feed link to the new motorway. The houses here don't qualify for compensation because the road is not new. Shots of a psychologist, Dr. Hockey, conducting an experiment to test the effect of noise on human intellectual processes. He explains the results of his experiments. Wider effects of the new L10 (18hr.) Legislation in the future discussed by Reynolds |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/71050 |
| Production number: | 00525_5062 |
| Videofinder number: | 2164 |
| Available to public: | no |
