Managing Construction Noise in an Urban Environment

Document type: Video
Author: Andrew Bird BSc (Hons) MIOA, Colin Cobbing BSc(Hons), CEnvH, MCIEH, MIOA
Publication Date: 20/07/2017

  • Abstract

    This is the tenth and final webinar in a series of Crossrail Learning Legacy webinars focused on the Environment Theme. It describes how Crossrail has worked in collaboration with its contractors to drive improved performance for noise management.

    Noise was one of the main impacts and challenges during the construction of Crossrail. It was recognised that for Crossrail’s Tier 1 contractors to achieve the necessary levels of performance in noise management, focus could not solely be on controlling or minimising noise levels. Factors such as community engagement, effective planning, management processes, leadership and culture were identified as being critical to successful noise management on sites. A detailed suite of objective performance measures were defined in order to measure contractor’s performance in construction noise management with the aim of driving improved performance towards a defined “world class” level.

    This webinar describes the criteria that were used to measure performance and the benefits that have resulted. The key factors that contributed to success and the key challenges faced during the process are also covered.

    The webinar may be of use to Clients considering developing a means of measuring the construction noise management performance of their principal contractor(s) on a construction project, and for Principal Contractors in turn to manage and measure the construction noise performance of their supply chain.

  • Authors
    Photo of Andrew Bird

    Andrew Bird BSc (Hons) MIOA - Crossrail Ltd

    Andrew was appointed as the Acoustic Manager at Crossrail in 2015, with responsibility for providing specialist noise and vibration advice to the Crossrail programme, promoting a consistent approach to noise and vibration issues on construction, fixed plant and the operational railway and identifying and disseminating best practice and lessons learned.

    Andrew has 10 years experience in acoustic consultancy and has been with Crossrail since 2011. During these 10 years Andrew has had significant involvement in major infrastructure projects, resolving construction noise and vibration issues, producing environmental impact assessments and consent applications. This includes Crossrail, Thameslink, High Speed 2, Thames Tideway, and Defence Training Academy St Athan.

    Andrew has also managed the acoustic design of several significant architectural projects, including school, hospital, residential, office, commercial and religious buildings. During this time he has gained experience of advanced noise and vibration modelling, monitoring and data analysis. Andrew is a committee member of the London branch of the Institute of Acoustics and is a Science Technology Engineering & Maths (STEM) ambassador, volunteering in Schools.

    https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewfbird

    Photo of Colin Cobbing

    Colin Cobbing BSc(Hons), CEnvH, MCIEH, MIOA - Arup, Crossrail Ltd

    Colin has 30 years experience in acoustics. He has spent most of his career working on major infrastructure projects, spanning all different stages of scheme development ranging from: project inception, obtaining major consents, design and specification, procurement, construction, completion and commission testing. The majority of his time has been supporting promoters of schemes and contractors. He has also supported local authorities in the discharge of their planning and environmental health duties.

    Colin prides himself on working openly and collaboratively with local authorities, communities and other stakeholders to reduce the scale and extent of noise impacts arising during the construction and operation of major projects.

    He joined Crossrail in 2009. Prior to that he was the Noise and Vibration Manager for Network Rail on the Thameslink Programme and for the Hitchin Grade Separation Project. Between 2009 and 2015 he was Crossrail’s Noise and Vibration Manager in the Sustainability and Consents Team. In 2015 he scaled back his involvement to focus on leading the Acoustics Team at Arup. However, he still continues his involvement and is overseeing the completion of the design and installation of the Crossrail track systems in the central section.

  • Partners
    Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

    Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

    “Crossrail's environment and sustainability innovations offer our profession huge learning opportunities. At IEMA, we feel the legacy goes far beyond learning. This is about inspiration, direction and the power of what is possible.”

    http://www.iema.net/

    Construction Industry Research and Information Association logo

    Construction Industry Research and Information Association

    "The Crossrail Learning Legacy will provide CIRIA members and the wider industry with information and knowledge they can translate into good practice across future construction projects of any size or type."

    http://www.ciria.org/