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NOISE WORKSHOPS Let’s Talk About That Noise
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What is a traffic noise workshop?
An informal meeting between TxDOT personnel and owners of property adjacent to a proposed noise barrier(s).
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Traffic Noise Guidance and Policy
FHWA
– 23 CFR 772
TxDOT’s Guidelines for the Analysis and Abatement of Roadway Traffic Noise (2011)
TxDOT’s Traffic Noise Handbook
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
The major objectives of a traffic noise analysis are to:
– Identify areas where possible noise impacts may occur for each project alternative.
– Consider and evaluate abatement measures to mitigate these impacts.
– Propose implementation of feasible and reasonable abatement measures.
– Communicate the results to the public and local officials.
Important: it is never too early to discuss possible noise abatement
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
Identify adjacent land uses for noise sensitive areas (residences, schools, churches, parks, etc)
INCLUDES PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
The major objectives of a traffic noise analysis are to:
– Identify areas where possible noise impacts may occur for each project alternative.
– Consider and evaluate abatement measures to mitigate these impacts.
– Propose implementation of feasible and reasonable abatement measures.
– Communicate the results to the public and local officials.
Important: it is never too early to discuss possible noise abatement
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
FHWA’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM)
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
The major objectives of a traffic noise analysis are to:
– Identify areas where possible noise impacts may occur for each project alternative.
– Consider and evaluate abatement measures to mitigate these impacts.
– Propose implementation of feasible and reasonable abatement measures.
– Communicate the results to the public and local officials.
Important: it is never too early to discuss possible noise abatement
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
Noise Barrier
AKA Sound Walls
Are barriers REASONABLE AND FEASIBLE?
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Feasible and Reasonable (TxDOT noise guidelines)
Feasible: A noise abatement measure is NOT FEASIBLE unless the measure achieves a noise reduction of at least 5 dB(A) at greater than 50% of first row impacted receptors.
Reasonable: The combination of social, economic, and environmental factors considered in the evaluation of a noise abatement measure. A determination of reasonableness for abatement measures will include consideration of the following range of factors:
– Cost Effectiveness
– Noise reduction design goal for roadway traffic noise abatement measures (at least one receiver must have a noise reduction of -7 dB(A) or greater
– Views of Benefitted Receptors
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Feasible and Reasonable (TxDOT Noise Guidelines)
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A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process
The major objectives of a traffic noise analysis are to:
– Identify areas where possible noise impacts may occur for each project alternative.
– Consider and evaluate abatement measures to mitigate these impacts.
– Propose implementation of feasible and reasonable abatement measures.
– Communicate the results to the public and local officials.
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Noise Workshop!
Purpose: to provide sufficient information to owners of property adjacent to a proposed noise barrier(s) that will allow these owners to make an informed vote for or against the proposed noise barrier(s).
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Sample Ballot
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NOISE BARRIER BALLOT SH 286 EXPANSION and SH 358 INTERCHANGE PROJECT
NOISE WORKSHOP, May 23, 2000
In conjunction with the SH 286 expansion and SH 358 interchange project, the Texas Department of Transportation proposes to construct a noise barrier within the right-of-way west of SH 286 between Gollihar Road and Mansheim Drive. However, the proposed noise barrier cannot be constructed without the approval, by majority vote, of adjacent property owners. 1. Do you own property adjacent to the right-of-way west of SH 286 between Gollihar
Road and Mansheim Drive? YES ______ NO ______
2. FULL NAME (please print)
ADDRESS TELEPHONE NO. _____________________________
3. Are you for or against the construction of the proposed noise barrier within the right-of-way west of SH 286 between Gollihar Road and Mansheim Drive? Only one vote is allowed for each property.
FOR _____ AGAINST _____ This vote is final.
4. Comments (use reverse if necessary):
SIGNATURE (required) __________________________________ DATE • The ballot must be completed and signed by the property owner of record. • If possible, please bring your completed and signed ballot to the Noise Workshop. • If you are not able to attend the Noise Workshop, please send your completed and
signed ballot (must be postmarked no later than ……………) to: Texas Department of Transportation, Attention: …………..P.O. Box 9907, Corpus Christi, TX, 78469-9907.
1) • Adjacent property owners will be notified of the results of the vote for or against the proposed noise barrier after all ballots have been received and counted.
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Mailing
Mailing preferably by prestamped/preaddressed return envelope
include a description of the noise barrier and the noise effects with and without the barrier.
Include a description of the decision making process that TxDOT will follow to assess the survey/ballot results and make a decision on whether to build the barrier.
Include an invitation to the meeting with the location and time
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Timing
After public hearings, a traffic noise workshop will also be conducted to discuss the results of noise studies and solicit input from the public on barriers to be included in the final design.
Early public involvement regarding noise is encouraged, however, specifics regarding abatement and voting are reserved for the traffic noise workshop
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Who’s invited?
Required: adjacent, first row property owners and residents
Only ballots cast by property owners will be counted
Public can attend
Staff: engineers, ROW experts, and noise experts
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Voting Results
Ballots cast by residents will be obtained for viewpoints,
only ballots cast by property owners will count towards determining whether a noise barrier will be constructed or not.
If the total respondents to the survey/ballot do not total a majority (50% + 1) of the benefitted receptors, then a second attempt will be made to solicit the views of those who did not respond. No third attempt is required if a majority (50% + 1) did not respond.
A majority (50% + 1) of the total benefitted receptors must indicate on the survey/ballot that they want a barrier constructed for it to be considered reasonable. All survey/ballots must be returned to TxDOT, by a due date. If a majority (50%+1) of the total benefitted receptors do not respond by the due date or do not respond after the second attempt, then TxDOT will base their decision on the survey responses they received even though a majority of responses were not received.
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Presentation – format Agenda: (recommended)
Brief overview of the project
Brief summary of the results of the noise analysis
Brief discussion of the Noise Barrier Brochure
Detailed review of the noise barrier proposal
Display plans in sufficient detail/scale for property owners to be able to identify their property relative to the proposed noise barrier(s)
Appearance
Display a picture depicting the (one) design, surface treatment and color selected by the district
(Optional/Recommended) Display pictures of a variety (two or three) of designs, surface treatments and colors (selected by the district) from which the owners of property adjacent to a proposed noise barrier(s) will be allowed to choose/vote
Detailed review of the Public Approval process (vote)
Important to include key dates/deadlines
Conduct vote
Obtain as many qualifying votes as possible during the Workshop
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NOISE WORKSHOP SAMPLE
9/9/16
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What is the Purpose of this Workshop?
Provide overview of how traffic Noise Analysis was conducted
Address the potential sound wall location, dimensions, construction, easements, utilities, and vegetation impacts
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Highway Traffic Noise
Source >>>Propagation Path>>>Receiver
Produced from tires, engines, and mufflers of cars and trucks
Measured either by a sound meter or predicted by computer program
Depends on the number and speed of vehicles, the terrain, and the distance between the highway (source) and listener (receiver)
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Fences
Buildings Buildings
Buildings Fences
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Topography
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Traffic Noise Analysis
FHWA regulation on highway traffic noise requires that we conduct noise studies when:
• utilizing federal funds
• adding capacity on existing highways
TxDOT guidelines (FHWA approved) utilized to perform this analysis
The purpose of our noise study is to learn whether noise will have an impact on nearby outdoor areas frequently used by people
GUIDELINES for
ANALYSIS AND ABATEMENT of
ROADWAY TRAFFIC NOISE
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Traffic Noise Impacts
NOISE ABATEMENT CRITERIA (NAC) dB(A) (Leq) Activity Area Category
57 A
Lands on which serenity and quiet are of extraordinary significance and serve an important public need and where preservation of those qualities is essential if the area is to continue to serve its intended purpose
FHWA has established Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) to determine possible traffic noise impacts on various activity areas.
TxDOT decides that an impact occurs when predicted noise levels are: 1 dB(A) below, equal to, or above the NAC criteria for a specific activity area
OR More than 10 dB(A) higher than the existing levels at any activity area.
In either of the above condition, noise abatement must be considered.
Measured in decibels (dB)
Not all sound can be heard by the human ear. When sound levels are measured, sound meters adjust the high/low frequencies of traffic noise to match the way an average person hears it. This adjustment is called A-weighting (dB(A)).
Traffic noise levels are never constant due to the changing number, type and speed of vehicles. A single value is used to represent the average or equivalent sound level or “Leq.”
67 B Residential
67 C
Active sport areas, amphitheaters, auditoriums, campgrounds, cemeteries, daycare centers, hospitals, libraries, medical facilities, parks, picnic areas, places of worship, playgrounds, public meeting rooms, public or nonprofit institutional structures, radio studios, recording studios, recreation areas, Section 4(f) sites, schools, television studios, trails, and trail crossings
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What does 67 dB(A) Sound Like?
Sources dB(A)
Rock Band 110
Leaf Blower 100
Food Blender 90
Police Whistle 80
Vacuum Cleaner 70
Conversation at 3-ft 60
Refrigerator 50
Library 40
67 dB(A)
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Our Noise Study does What?
Identifies land use and activity areas that may be impacted by highway traffic noise
Determines existing noise levels
Predicts noise levels 20 years in the future for No-Build and Build Alternatives
Examines and evaluates ways to reduce noise impacts (abatement measures)
Homes
Parks
Schools
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Noise Abatement Consideration
Noise abatement refers to the positive action taken to reduce the impact of noise from highway traffic on an activity area
Noise abatement on this project:
Sound walls
Sound walls evaluated to determine if they are feasible AND reasonable
Photos taken from FHWA Keeping the Noise Down Guidebook
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Feasibility Requirements
Can sound wall: Provide a minimum of 5 dB(A)
reduction in noise levels at the majority of impacted sites?
Be constructed at the appropriate location?
Will sound wall: Create a safety problem?
Restrict access for vehicular and pedestrian movement?
Be inaccessible for maintenance?
Impact utilities, drainage?
Affect historic properties?
-4 -5 -4 -5 -5 -5 -5 -7 ???????????????????????????????? SOUND WALL ??????????????????????????????
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Reasonableness Requirements
Cost/benefit analysis where total cost of sound wall is $25,000 (or less) per benefitted receiver
Noise reduction design goal where at least one first row receiver (residence) achieves at least a 7 dBA reduction in noise
Opinion of the benefitted receiver where the final decision to construct sound wall or not is by a simple majority vote
-7
Cost for each Benefitted Receiver
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-5 -5 -7 -5 -5 -5 ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? SOUND WALL ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Total Cost # Benefitted =
Cost for each Benefitted Receiver
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Sound Walls MOST Likely to be Feasible and Reasonable
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Sound Walls NOT Likely to be Feasible and Reasonable
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Public Involvement
??????????????????????? SOUND WALL ??????????????????????
Consent of a Majority of Adjacent Property Owners
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How Sound Walls Work
A + B > C = Longer Path Length
C
A B
Diffraction
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When Sound Walls are MORE Effective
Within TxDOT ROW Source Receiver
Within TxDOT ROW Source Receiver
-5
-5
200 ft
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Inside TxDOT ROW
Outside TxDOT ROW
When Sound Walls are MORE Effective
-5
-5
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How Do People React to Sound Walls?
Positive reactions may include:
– Conversations in households are easier
– Sleeping conditions have improved
– More relaxing environment
– Open windows more often and use yards more in the summer
– Indirect benefits include: increased privacy, cleaner air, improved view and a rural sense, healthier lawns and shrubs
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How Do People React to Sound Walls?
Negative reactions may include:
– Restrictions of view
– Feeling of confinement
– Reduced air circulation
– Reduced lighting and sunlight
– Maintenance and utility issues
– Removal of vegetation, loss of trees
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Comments :
TxDOT
ATTN: District Environmental Coordinator
P.O. Box 66666
Austin, TX 66666
For More Information Contact:
John Doe
512.555.5555
www.TxDOT.com
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Documentation
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Documentation
Documentation is required
Documentation of the completed traffic noise workshops shall include
– a summary of the materials presented,
– comments from the public and associated responses, and
– the results of the ballots for each proposed barrier.
This concludes the environmental process
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Questions???
???
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