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Research carried out in UCL's Department of Mathematics addresses the accurate coupling of acoustic source fields to noise propagation models, for the determination of far-field environmental noise exposure. The work has increased understanding of issues related to noise propagation from infrastructure including roads and wind turbines, in the UK and internationally. For example, it has led to changes in thinking about freeway noise mitigation strategies at Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), discussion of concerns about the UK's assessment of noise propagation from wind turbines by the Institute of Acoustics, and improved understanding of sound-related issues associated with a gas compressor station in the southwestern US that are of interest to local Indian tribes. The research also stimulated interest and discourse by groups and individuals including the Acoustic Ecology Institute in the US, a community group in Germany, Washington State Department of Transportation, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and an artist based in Berlin.
Theoretical and experimental research on urban sound environments has been carried out by Professor Kang and his team at the University of Sheffield since 1999. This includes acoustic theories and models for urban sound propagation, soundscape theory and framework, and acoustic theories for sustainable building elements. Consequently, they have developed design guides/ tools that have become common standards in professional practice; invented sustainable low-noise products that have led to commercial outputs; organised networks and workshops that have set up the practice agenda for designing better urban sound environments; and delivered keynote presentations to international audiences of planning professionals and government policy-making organisations.
Work at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) has led to a sophisticated new understanding of a number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) problems in acoustics. The effects are wide ranging, attracting heavyweight industry sponsors and driving valuable new innovations in home entertainment, construction, aviation and defence. In particular, research has led to the deployment of new "active" methods for controlling noise and vibration within aircraft. Systems have been installed in over 200 propeller aircraft since January 2008, giving a total number of 1000 aircraft treated to date and benefitting 177 million passengers worldwide. Noise reduction systems based on patents resulting from the unique ISVR methods are being developed for maritime use by BAE Systems. The underpinning science has significantly cut the cost of noise tests on Rolls-Royce jet engines, saving US$4 million to date and reducing their environmental impact. It has led to the development of mass-produced systems for living-room 3D sound, global sales of which have reached US$7.2 million.
Research at the University of Southampton's Airbus Noise Technology Centre (ANTC) and the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Gas Turbine Noise has given Airbus and Rolls-Royce tools to understand, predict and reduce noise pollution from commercial aircraft, ensuring that they are on track to meet the EU's stringent noise reduction targets, and maintaining their competitive edge over key rivals Boeing, GE and Pratt and Whitney. The implementation of new low-noise technology from Southampton has already begun to benefit the millions of people who live near our busiest airports (250,000 within the inner 57dBA Leq contour at Heathrow alone).
Applied acoustics in the built environment and its broader uptake is focused on the development and commercial adoption of techniques and technologies resulting from research in applied acoustics, demonstrating the following impact:
Research undertaken at the University of Manchester (UoM) considers the association between aircraft noise, human health and everyday life. In partnership with an eminent Japanese acoustic scientist, the issue of noise emanating out of the Kadena US airbase (Okinawa Island) and Tokyo Narita Airport was addressed through the creation of an innovative exhibition. The key impact is that local government officials in Japan used the exhibition to enhance their own and citizen groups' understanding of acoustic science. This has helped to breach a long-standing impasse in negotiations over aircraft noise, involving citizens, local authorities, the military and the private sector. In addition, the research has been utilised by the makers of a leading sound-monitoring device (Nittobo), and the multimedia exhibition has been displayed and discussed outside Japan.
In response to many EU directives (e.g. 89/629/EEC, 2002/30/EC), and to the threat of financial penalties, the aircraft industry has long considered it a matter of the utmost importance to develop tools for the reduction of aircraft noise. Chapman's ray theory of aeroengine noise, created and developed in 1994-2000, provided such a tool. The impact of this work has extended through aircraft industry giants such as Rolls-Royce to consumers and the general public worldwide, because of its influence on the design of quieter aircraft.
Following application of the same theory to broadband underwater acoustics, the impact now extends to the government's plans for the next generation of nuclear submarines. This is a £25 billion project to design and build the Successor class, to replace the Vanguard class of Trident submarines. Chapman's ray theory has been used in the current Assessment Phase leading to Main Gate in 2016, when the Government will decide on production.
In research that challenges the dichotomy of music/ noise, Drever has investigated the properties and subjective effects of the high volumes produced by ultrafast hand dryers, finding that it is highly aversive for vulnerable groups including people with dementia, sensory impairments, and autistic spectrum disorders, in some cases exacerbating their social avoidance. These effects have been communicated to the public, industry professionals, and policymakers through a combination of creative art works and presentations of the research findings in varied public settings. They have been widely reported in the international media, via both general interest and specialist publications and programmes. He has worked closely with the UK's Noise Abatement Society and with industrial designers, who have welcomed his input to helping them improve hand dryer design.
The impact of building acoustics research by the Acoustics Research Unit at Liverpool has been through knowledge transfer into Standardisation, guidance to industry and take-up by test laboratories. This is evidenced by the active and leading participation of Professor Gibbs and Dr Hopkins on International and European Standards committees, developing measurement and prediction methods for noise in buildings. The research provides the scientific basis of new test codes used by accredited test laboratories and acoustic consultants. It is also feeding into new test procedures developed by R&D teams of Boeing, Seattle, for the control of vibration-induced noise in aircraft.
Research by the University of Southampton into reducing railway noise has a created new technology that has allowed railway networks in Europe and Australia to be expanded, while preserving citizens' quality of life. Under a licence agreement with Tata Steel, patented rail dampers have been fitted on around 155 km of track in 16 countries and proved critical to a new route in New South Wales. They have enabled operators to save tens of millions of pounds that would have been spent on expensive noise barriers, and earned Tata Steel significant amounts in sales and the University in royalties [exact figures removed for publication]. Follow-on research funding of £2M from EU and EPSRC.