Extrium

Extrium has recently worked with Defra to analyse the potential noise impacts of the 10 mph speed increase being considered by the Department for Transport.

DfT recently announced their intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 mph. In advance of this consultation, Extrium, as part of their Acoustic Modelling and GIS Advice contract, was commissioned by Defra to investigate the potential scale of the impacts in terms of the quantity of roads impacted and potential number of dwellings affected.

Extrium, in close consultation with Defra, designed and carried out a national scale spatial analysis project. This involved the careful selection and preparation of datasets including the detailed OS MasterMap Integrated Transport Network Roads and AddressLayer2 data products. Extrium also designed the analytical methodology which included the development of scripts to automate aspects of the analytical environment, in order to maximise efficiency and to help Defra meet a tight deadline.

The entire project, from initial request to final delivery, was completed to specification in less than 3 days. The results of Extrium’s work have provided Defra with an objective, evidence based understanding of the potential impacts of the proposed change.

Extrium is proud to announce its accreditation to the internationally recognised quality management system standard ISO 9001:2008. ISO 9001 requires organisations to demonstrate that they have a quality management system in place to ensure consistence and improvement; leading to high levels of performance and customer satisfaction.

ISO 14001:2004, the internationally recognised standard for an organisation’s Environmental Management System, has also been awarded to Extrium in recognition for their environmental policy and action plan to manage their impact on their environment.

Certified organisations are committed to continuous improvement and are assessed annually to ensure progress is being maintained. By registration to the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards Extrium benefits from streamlining their procedures and brings consistency to their service delivery.

Nigel Jones, Director of Extrium said, “We are delighted to achieve accreditation, gaining recognition for our commitment to quality and the environment and to continuous improvement. This recognition demonstrates we can provide a quality solution from quotation to delivery”.

"We are particularly pleased to have been given this accolade at our first attempt which underlines our commitment to our clients and our focus on quality and environmental management," he added.

The award was made through the British Assessment Bureau, a leader in assessing business processes and products against internationally recognised standards.

Extrium has successfully launched a secure website to support the implementation of Noise Action Plans in Wales.

Under the terms of the Environmental Noise Directive and the Environmental Noise (Wales) Regulations (2006) the Welsh Government has an obligation to develop and implement Noise Action Plans. This process requires the exchange of a wide variety of information, much of which is spatial in nature, e.g. the locations of noise hotspots and the locations of proposed quiet areas.

Extrium previously helped implement the first large scale noise maps in Wales in 2007 and worked closely with the Welsh Government in drafting the Noise Action Plans in 2009. By combining this policy knowledge with technical capabilities in web and mapping technology, Extrium has been able to design and develop an online tool that enables registered stakeholders to view and exchange mapped information, reports, ideas and best practice in a secure and user friendly platform.

The website makes clever use of commercial and OGC compliant open source technologies, including Google StreetView, OpenLayers API and GeoServer. Data is served via a WMS feed from various remote servers managed by Extrium and the Welsh Government, to be seamlessly integrated in the website’s mapping tool. The website also provides tools which enable and facilitate the transfer of information and knowledge amongst stakeholders, through the use of user login encryption, online databases, forums, file transfer capabilities and live data querying.

As a result of the project, the Welsh Government can quickly convey current information in simple intuitive map format, and stakeholders are able to better understand noise and develop effective noise reduction measures in their area.