The effectiveness and acceptability of measures for insulating dwellings against traffic noise

In order to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of the standard insulation package installed in dwellings subjected to high levels of road traffic noise over 150 measurements of sound insulation have been made and a social survey of 882 respondents has been carried out. The average sound insulation provided by the package is 34 dB(A) but with considerable variation about this figure. The overall satisfaction with the package is high (84%) and, except at the highest noise exposures experienced, over 80% of respondents are satisfied with the noise reduction achieved. The ventilator units are considered to be the least satisfactory part of the package but even then 58% considered the ventilators satisfactory. Their size and appearance and the presence of draughts are the main reasons for disliking the ventilators. A number of proposals are made for improving the package.