“Quiet Construction Site” : This White Book is going to make a big noise

The publication of the White Book Quiet Construction Site is the result of a considerable research and innovation work.

This guide was developed on the initiative of the Société du Grand Paris (SGP).
The aim is to share with the public knowledge of the noise of urban construction sites, and also to propose ways of improving their sound environment.

The document was prepared by a group of experts – Roland Cahen (Acoustician and Designer, Teacher at ENSCi-Les Ateliers), Bertrand Masson (Environmental Acoustician at Impedance-Engineering), Gaël Hiétin (Designer and Designer, AtelierGH) whose association has enabled the construction of an educational and ergonomic document, accompanying tool for noise prevention or reduction initiatives.

Edited on paper in a format designed for ergonomic consultation of the different themes and plans, the White Book was published on February 4, 2019 on the GSP website: here

The point of the White Book is that it addresses the issue of noise pollution in all its dimensions: technological, organizational, legal or political. It provides innovative pathways at every stage of noise propagation: at the source (e.g. work equipment that generates noise), at the transmission and at the reception/perception by the residents of the site.

The book reviews good practices and does not hesitate to point out the “false good ideas” and “common noises” they have encountered during their careers.

Bringing together texts that are understandable to all, schemas and links to more technical content, their guide advocates for an approach to the topic over time, each step of which is an incentive to change. A real action plan that involves the implementation of technical solutions, the decline of alternative methods where possible, a better sharing of responsibility between the owners and the companies, and finally, support for the implementation of new, less noisy materials.

This toolbox is for the entire construction ecosystem in France: construction workers, construction companies, study offices, local and riverside communities. It is part of a process of transparency and a continuous feedback of experiences: the largest infrastructure site in Europe, the Grand Paris Express knows that it is being observed all over the world and that it is a place of experimentation for all public works players.

In this dynamic, the SGP has decided to develop some of the tracks proposed in the White Book : for example the Equaligrue (a vuemeter/dosimeter-type device visible to all) and certainly other topics that will be addressed in the coming years.

The “Object”
The physical object is a 236 pages book. It is made with a rigid, embossed and dandled cover and it’s weighing 2.5kg. It includes a map of noise reduction and prevention solutions in poster format, as well as a checklist that allows actors to anticipate their actions against noise.

The document is available for interactive reading through a full-screen internet reader on the GSP website : here

It is also available for download in pdf format here.

Digital versions of documents contain internal links and web hyperlinks.