Community Issues
Sound walls significantly benefit local communities, families and individuals from unwanted noise and help preserve property values. State Department of Transportation agencies are very interested in having community participation when designing sound walls. It is important to have community input and support when building such visible structures.
When traffic noise impacts have been identified, noise abatement measures must be considered according to state and federal environmental statutes. Traffic noise impacts occur when one or more of the following conditions are present: 1) when the predicted noise levels exceed existing noise levels by 12dBA and 2) when predicted noise levels approach within 1 dBA, or exceed the noise abatement criteria.
Most communities' top priority is to reduce unwanted direct and reflective noise. Many sound walls reduce direct noise, but only sound-absorbing walls can reduce or eliminate reflective noise.
Homes located directly behind a sound wall are protected from direct noise, but homes elevated above the freeway and homes located several blocks back from the freeway can experience increased noise levels due to noise reflections. Reflective walls can adversely affect a home previously not impacted by freeway noise.
The Sound Fighter® Wall is extremely effective in reducing both direct and reflective noise and is specifically designed to reduce total traffic noise.
Another priority is aesthetics. The Sound Fighter® Wall System's geometrically designed panels are available in any color. Multiple-colored panels create unique and attractive patterns which are aesthetically pleasing. Subtle designs provide for easy freeway driving.
Many communities are concerned about graffiti and its effective removal. Routinely, graffiti is not removed but painted over, often resulting in a "fix" that is nearly as unsightly as the graffiti itself.
Traditional block walls often offer unsightly graffiti solutions
The Sound Fighter® Wall allows graffiti to be removed with environmentally safe cleansers leaving the wall in its original condition.
Download a Graffiti Removal Demonstration Video in Real Video
Low Resolution (Dial-Up Modem)
High Resolution (DSL or Cable)
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Download it here.
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Download a Graffiti Removal Demonstration Video in Windows Media Player
Low Resolution (Dial-Up Modem)
High Resolution (DSL or Cable)
Windows Media Player Required
Download it here.
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Wall cost is another priority. Certain communities must raise money to install walls in areas the State DOT will not fund the installation. The Sound Fighter® Wall System is cost competitive with most DOT block wall applications with the added benefit of being sound absorbing.
Additional community concerns involve traffic congestion, construction noise and simply the long drawn out construction time schedule. The Sound Fighter® Wall assembles easily minimizing the use of noisy construction equipment. The wall installs in half the time required to build a block wall, reducing construction time and reducing traffic congestion.
SUMMARY
Noise has been an issue for centuries and continues to be a major concern. Although technology has generated most of the noise, it is also part of the solution.
Cost has been the single most prohibitive reason for not using absorbing material on roadways. The Sound Fighter® LSE Wall System is cost competitive with most reflective block and concrete walls on commercial and industrial applications.
