105754Acoustic Metamaterials for the Control of Railway NoiseClosedStudyInnovate UKDespite the significant increase in noise over the past 60yrs, advancements in noise barrier technology have been minimal, with 75% of all noise barriers installed in the UK still in the form of timber fences with a typical performance of ~6dB and short lifespan due to degradation.The WHO recommendations include very low noise levels identified in the Night Noise Guidelines, these are 55 dB as an interim target and 40dB as an ultimate objective by 2020\. To put this in perspective the average noise levels for high-speed rail is on average \>90dB(A), indicating the currently available solutions are not adequate to meet the growing need for robust noise control solutions and to meet the 2020 target.Noise barriers are a significant asset for Highways and Railway Organisation's (HRO's) and procurement, installation and maintenance represent a significant long-term financial investment. The research need is for HRO's to have a better performing product in terms of in-situ barrier test performance and to be better informed in relation to the planning, procurement and management of barriers along their networks, which the outcomes of this Project will seek to answer.The Project will deliver a "works like, looks like" pre-production prototype of an "acoustic metamaterial" based noise barrier technology specifically designed to mitigate Railway noise, with focus on High Speed Rail.This is a highly disruptive product offering a step change in noise mitigation solutions, into a well established global marketplace, in need of innovation.