Special Issue Impact on the urban environment and the quality of life from the construction and operation of LRT (Light Rapid Transit) systems

Noise pollution is a major problem affecting negatively the quality of urban life and a significant part of the urban population worldwide. The health impacts of environmental noise are a growing concern among both the general public and policy-makers in Europe & the world.

LRT (Light Rail Transit) networks in urban conditions are considered to be a sustainable means of transportation, due to the substantial reduction of air pollutants emissions – with emphasis to PM2,5 & PM10 – by decreasing the number of cars and heavy vehicles (i.e. buses) in the road network. However, an important adverse effect of their operation is the increased level of vibration transmitted to buildings in close proximity

Environmental Ground Borne Noise & Vibration especially from the construction & operation of urban LRT systems are considered as major parameter of possible degradation of the urban acoustic environment consisting an important adverse effect introducing increased level of annoyance to the people due to the vibration transmitted to buildings in close proximity.

Various mitigation measures were developed in the last decade, proven to be a very effective environmental noise and vibration abatement tool ensuring minimization of the annoyance especially in special cultural buildings. In this perspective, Urban Mass Transportation Systems needs comprehensive environmental noise and vibration management and control programs & actions, in order to ensure a sustainable modern green trend, achieving their social responsibilities and goals regarding the diminution of urban population annoyance and the urban acoustic environment rehabilitation.

This Special Issue of the Int. Journal “Science of the Total Environment” is dedicated to addressing the issue of environmental ground borne & vibration noise related to the construction & operation of urban LRT. Papers on any aspect of environmental noise & vibration from LRT around the world are eligible. We particularly encourage submissions that mainly address the following priority topics :

Priority Topics :

* Effects on health and the quality of life

* Urban planning of LRT network systems with respect to acoustic management

* Environmental noise and vibration management during construction works at open sites of Metro and Tramway lines

* Atmospheric pollution from construction sites with emphasis to PM2,5 & PM10

* Environmental Ground Borne Noise & Vibration analysis & control from LRT networks (both underground & surface systems such as metro tramways etc..)

* Urban management through comprehensive sustainable Metro and Tramways networks

* Population exposure & annoyance from LRT construction & Operation

* Environmental noise & vibration exposure and health

* Environmental ground borne noise & vibration legislation

* LRT operation Vibration transmission inside buildings

* Protection of special sensitive receptors & archaeological sites

A panel of European & International noise experts will review the submitted papers, and those with the highest merit to the community will be selected for publication. Accepted papers, not more than 20, are expected to be published in 2nd mid of 2015 in one special issue. Link: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/science-of-the-total-environment/call-for-papers/special-issue-on-impact-of-lrt-systems/

Full Paper Submission Deadline: March 31st, 2015
Paper Format: http://ees.elsevier.com/stoten/
Submit articles to http://ees.elsevier.com/stoten/
Please select article type “SI: Env.Noise II-LRT systems” during submission process
Questions and inquiries should be directed to:
Prof. Pavlos Kassomenos, University of Ioannina, Greece pkassom@uoi.gr
Ass. Prof. Konstantinos VOGIATZIS University of Thessaly, Greece kvogiatz@uth.gr
Ass. Prof. Georges KOUROUSSIS – Université de Mons, Belgium georges.kouroussis@umons.ac.be