Project Name: Noise Barrier Project for the Expansion and Reconstruction of the Nanjing–Ma’anshan National Highway (Liucun Interchange to Tongjing Town Section)
Construction Year: 2023
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
Total Length: 7.6 km
Barrier Heights: 6 m / 3.5 m / 3 m
Panel Color: Gray and White Landscape-Style Design
1. Project Background
The Nanjing–Ma’anshan National Highway is a major transportation corridor connecting Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, carrying heavy daily traffic volumes, including a significant percentage of heavy-duty trucks. As urban development expanded along the route, residential communities, schools, and commercial facilities were established near the section between Liucun Interchange and Tongjing Town, making traffic noise a growing concern for local residents.
As part of the highway expansion project in 2023, a comprehensive noise barrier system was installed. The objective was not only to achieve environmental noise control standards but also to create a visually appealing barrier that harmonizes with the surrounding urban landscape, improving both driving and living environments.
2. Segmented Height Design for Different Noise Control Requirements
The project covers 7.6 kilometers of continuous installation along both sides of the highway. To address varying building heights and distances from the roadway, three barrier height configurations were adopted:
• 6-meter barriers: Installed in areas with high-rise residential buildings to effectively block noise propagation toward upper floors.
• 3.5-meter barriers: Applied near standard residential communities and schools, balancing noise reduction performance with natural daylight access.
• 3-meter barriers: Used in open areas or locations with low-rise buildings, providing cost-effective noise control while meeting acoustic requirements.
This stepped-height design strategy optimized material usage while ensuring consistent noise mitigation performance throughout the entire project. Both acoustic simulations and field measurements confirmed that the expected noise reduction targets were achieved.
3. Gray-and-White Design Enhances Highway Landscape
Traditional noise barriers often utilize dark-colored panels that can appear visually heavy and oppressive. This project adopted an innovative gray-and-white color scheme, featuring a light-gray base combined with white vertical accents to create a modern and refreshing appearance.
From the perspective of passing drivers, the barriers present a clean and dynamic visual effect that complements Nanjing’s urban environment and natural scenery. The design has been praised as a “breathing noise barrier” that blends functionality with aesthetics.
Curved top caps were integrated into the barrier structure to reduce sound diffraction while improving rainwater drainage and minimizing dust accumulation. The streamlined profile further enhances the overall visual appeal.
4. High-Quality Materials and Reliable Structure
The barrier panels consist of aluminum perforated sound-absorbing sheets with a hole diameter of 2.5 mm and a perforation rate of at least 25%. The panels are filled with centrifugal glass wool wrapped in water-repellent nonwoven fabric, while the rear panel is made of high-strength galvanized steel.
This combination provides both sound absorption and sound insulation performance, achieving a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of ≥ 0.85.
The support structure utilizes hot-dip galvanized H-shaped steel posts with an embedment depth of at least 1.2 meters. The system is designed to withstand local 50-year return-period wind loads.
Anti-loosening spring nuts and rubber sealing strips are incorporated into the connection system to prevent vibration-related noise and ensure long-term structural stability and durability.
5. Outstanding Performance After Completion
Following project completion in 2023, independent environmental testing reported significant improvements:
• Nighttime equivalent noise levels at sensitive locations were reduced from 68.5 dB(A) to 52.3 dB(A), exceeding the requirements of China’s Class 4a Environmental Noise Standards.
• The gray-and-white surface effectively minimizes glare during daytime, while integrated lighting along the roadway creates a soft visual guidance effect at night, contributing to safer driving conditions.
• Noise-related complaints from nearby communities decreased by more than 90%, with residents reporting noticeably quieter surroundings and improved visual comfort.
6. Project Significance and Replication Value
This project represents a benchmark in transportation infrastructure upgrades within the Nanjing Metropolitan Area and demonstrates a new approach that balances environmental performance with aesthetic design.
Stretching 7.6 kilometers, the gray-and-white noise barrier system functions like an elegant ribbon along the highway, protecting the quality of life for thousands of residents while enhancing the visual identity of roadside infrastructure.
Its segmented height design, landscape-oriented appearance, and carefully selected materials provide a valuable reference for future highway noise barrier projects throughout the Yangtze River Delta region and across China.
Contact Us
If you are planning a highway, urban viaduct, railway, or other transportation noise control project, we provide comprehensive one-stop services, including site assessment, acoustic design, customized manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Contact us today to learn how our advanced noise barrier solutions can help create quieter, safer, and more visually attractive transportation environments.
Post time: Jul-24-2026