Evaluation of the renovation of an urban highway viaduct using citizen science low-cost noise monitoring

A main highway in Belgium (E17) has transected the city of Ghent with a viaduct since 1970. This is north-south artery for heavy traffic from and to ports Antwerp Rotterdam. The significant maintenance issues was subjected multiple noise control actions past. Since 2014 local citizens initiative named 'Viadukaduk' -mimicking sound allow public engagement resolving environmental issues. In 2020, major renovation initiated. Prior this (in 2015) measurements were performed at two dwellings either side viaduct. beginning renovation, repeated dwellings. Post-renovation, datasets, 2015 2020/2022, have been used perform evaluation due viaduct, including impact changes barrier type, road surface bridge joints. Preliminary results show change 7 dBA, although itself limited 1 dBA. data collected during illustrate different phases: speed reduction lane changes, removing old screens, placement new refurbishing joints etc.)