Highways

For the past year I've worked for Mott MacDonald as an acoustic engineer and one year on I'm as passionate about acoustics as I was on day one.

I'm formally part of the environment team in Southampton which belongs to the highways division, but I find myself working on various projects. Although I primarily work for the highways sector, I've contributed to projects involved with railways, public transport initiatives, the waste industry, as well many planning applications. I've also worked on acoustic barrier projects on sections of the M3 motorway, designing barriers to improve the noise climate for the nearby residents.

My day-to-day tasks include carrying out environmental noise surveys, modelling the propagation of road traffic noise, assessing the impact of noise on sensitive receptors, and writing sections of environmental impact assessments. Recently, I've begun to help with public concerns about road traffic noise. For all my work the help and support of the team around me has been invaluable.

The past year has led me to travel a lot around the UK. For example, one week I was working on the noise impact assessment of a new road in Norfolk, and the next week it was the assessment of noise from a recycling facility in North Wales. The variety of work and travel are some of the things I enjoy most.

Overall, my first year with Mott MacDonald has been both stimulating and rewarding as I feel I'm gaining the experience necessary to work on larger, high-profile projects.

Dan Doherty
University of Southampton
MSc Sound and Vibration Studies
Joined 2006
Works in Highways, Southampton, UK