3 ms·

> "glass walls that line motorways" I've never heard of this, why is it done? For aesthetic reasons? It seems like it would be marginally less practical th

• Mediterraneo10 7y ago
  These barriers are put up for sound-proofing reasons. Mostly the barriers are opaque, but one often encounters the glass ones at the points along these routes when they run through towns. Here, the glass barriers provide soundproofing without blocking one’s view of the surrounding cityscape.
  • hanniabu 7y ago
    sound-reducing reasons* Sorry for the nitpick, but I live near a highway with one of these barriers and it's in no way sound-proofing.
    • tempestn 7y ago
      Were you able to experience it without the barrier?
      • hanniabu 7y ago
        No, but with it I can still hear the highway. I'm sure it's certainly not as bad as it is without it, and I'm thankful it's there, but it's still audible. It sounds like it's maybe 2 or 3 blocks away vs right in your back yard.
• bonoboTP 7y ago
  To block noise, without blocking light. See for example [0] (in Budapest, Hungary), where the house would not get much light during the day with a solid barrier and it's also kinda depressing to stare at a wall immediately in front of your window (even a busy road is a better view). (Note also the bird stickers.) [0] http://iho.hu/img/kozut/111004_kaotikuskoki/zajfal.jpg http://iho.hu/img/kozut/111004_kaotikuskoki/zajfal.jpg