Air Quality and Noise Assessment Capability

Air Quality

• Air quality assessments vary upon the proposed development type, a result of the masterplan proposals.

• Air quality effects of most developments are limited to the effects of increased vehicular activity.

• Air quality is affected by the associated differential vehicle movements caused by the development proposals.

A N OTHER CONSULTING

How Rodgers Leask can help ?

By combining this process into two steps

Rodgers Leask can provide input into masterplanning.

Rodgers Leask can undertake the transport assessment work

Rodgers Leask can undertake the air quality assessment work

This combination of transport and environmental consulting removes the issues of having two consultants where things get missed, misinterpreted, queries arise and delays result.

Air Quality

Calculation of net traffic flow changes on the network from transport study

Links showing over 10% change in traffic flow are assessed using an air quality modeling spreadsheet.

Process of air quality assessment

Establish the baseline pollutant levels, using data gathered by local authorities and projection models to design years

PollutantAnnual mean

For comparison with Air Quality Standards

Background concentration

Road traffic component

Total Units Metric Value Units

CO 0.50 0.02 0.52 mg/m3 Annual mean*

0.52 mg/m3

Benzene 0.50 0.02 0.52 g/m3 Annual mean 0.52 g/m3

1,3-butadiene

0.20 0.01 0.21 g/m3 Annual mean 0.21 g/m3

NOx 0.2 1.6 1.8 g/m3 Not applicable

NO2 0.2 0.8 1.0 g/m3 Annual mean*

1.0 g/m3

PM10

0.1 0.14 0.24 g/m3

Annual mean 0.2 g/m3

 Days >50g/m3 0 Days

Noise Assessment

For the majority of development proposals a noise assessment is required, and for many of these the predominant impact of the development upon the noise environment is associated with the increase in vehicular traffic.

Noise comes from two sources on a vehicle, tyre / road interaction and engine noise. The noise emitted can be calculated based upon average vehicle speeds, gradient and composition of traffic (HGV / light vehicle mix)

The assessment of the noise received at a building facade is a further few steps away. The noise generated by the combination of tyre road interaction and exhaust, affected by vehicle speed, volume and composition is the first part but the noise level received is affected by the following.

• Distance between the road and receptor

•Type of surface (concrete / bituminous / porous)

•Nature of the ground between road and receptor.

•Any topographical intrusion into the direct path between source and receptor.

Noise Assessment Process

Using a conventional noise consultancy and separate transport consultancy Delays / misunderstanding / queries /

inappropriate data / incorrect assumptions / iteration

Noise Assessment Process

Using Rodgers Leask for Transport and Noise

Rodgers Leask assess traffic flows and agrees scope with LA

Why use Rodgers Leask ?

• By carrying out the transport assessment work AND the noise assessment the client can be assured of a smooth transition of data between the studies.

• The client can be assured that noise is considered at the earliest stage of the project. Correct data gathering is assured that is directly comparable with data gathered for the transport work.

• No delays or gaps between commissions can be assured as RL fulfil the role often undertaken by separate consultancies, giving the client one consultant to contact, rather then two.

Please contact Ian Kirk-Ellis, I.Eng, ACIWEM for further detailsIan.kirk-ellis@rodgersleask.co.ukTel: 01332 285000 / Fax 01332 291728Mobile: 07717 862716

THANK YOU