Abstract
The importance of sustainability in all aspects of procurement is gaining momentum in many countries and recently the EC has awarded a contract (QUIESST) to develop not only improved evaluation techniques for acoustic performance of noise reducing devices but also to examine optimisation and sustainability issues. This paper examines some options for “natural” forms of screening surface transport noise that might on the face of it be considered sustainable but until a number of factors are fully considered it is not clear how they compare with manufactured noise barriers. It also considers the psychological benefits of using natural solutions based on the “tranquillity rating prediction tool” recently developed at the University of Bradford.