Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use

1. Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use  Lesson 1 Roadway Noise and FHWA Guidelines  Federal Highway Administration

2. Roadway Travel

3. What is Noise? • Loud Sound • Annoying, Unwanted Sound Source: Wikipedia.com Source: Urbanplanet.org

4. Negative Effects of Sound • Lowers the quality of life • Can impact outside conversation • May deter some development • Some studies show harmful health • effects

5. Common Noise Levels • Jet aircraft Uncomfortably 120 dBA take off loud • Lawnmower Moderately 70 dBA Vacuum loud • Library Very quiet 30 dBA

6. Who’s Responsible? • Federal Highway Administration Sets National Guidelines • States Implement Federal and State Guidelines • Local Governments Enact Land Use Policies

7. Noise Assessments • Required as part of NEPA Process • Determine whether there are sensitive receivers • Computer modeling • Review of land use plans • Aerial photography

8. Federal Guidelines for Noise Abatement • 23 CFR Part 772: Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise • “…establish requirements for information to be given to local officials for use in the planning and design of highways….”

9. Section 772.5: Definitions • Type I(Eligible for FHWA Funding) • Projects on new location • Physical alteration of horizontal and/or vertical alignment • Increase in the number of through travel lanes • Type II (FHWA Will Not Fund; States May) • A proposed Federal or Federal-aid highway project for noise abatement on an existing highway.

10. Section 772.13(b)Federal Participation • Federal funding for Type II projects approved: • For projects approved before 11/28/95 • Along lands where development predated any highway • For areas not previously rejected for a barrier in a Type I project

11. FHWA Approach to Roadway Noise • 3-Part Approach to Traffic Noise Control • Source Control • Reduction Measures in Highway Construction • Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

12. Brakes Source Control: Noise Sources for Heavy Trucks Exhaust Air Intake Tire Noise Engine Fan Gears

13. Measuring Sound • Decibels • Are a logarithmic scale • Are based on values of 10 • Sound measurement is weighted to what the human ear can hear (A-weighted) • Descriptor will be the hourly equivalent sound level (LAeq1h)

14. The TNM Model

15. Exterior (residences, schools, parks, and churches) Exterior (commercial) Interior Leq 65 dBA Leq 70 dBA Leq 50 dBA is used Noise Criteria

16. ...avoiding/minimizing negative effects NC PMitigation Strategies • Commercial, Retail, Office • Uses • Open Space • Thoughtful Orientation of • Residential Uses and • Materials

17. Residential Commercial

18. Noise Reducing Construction Design

19. Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use  Lesson 2 ♦ Overview Noise Compatible Land Use Planning  Federal Highway Administration

20. Lesson 2:Overview Noise Compatible Planning ■What Constitutes NCP? ■ Benefits of NCP ■Potential Hindrances to Implementing NCP

21. What Constitutes NCP? NCP addresses potential highway noise before problems occur  Appropriate development that can accommodate roadway noise is encouraged next to highways

22. Why Talk About Noise Compatible Land Use Planning? Opportunity Costs (more roadway and construction $) May Block Light and “Close- in” Neighborhoods

23. PURPOSE Eliminate or Reduce Highway Traffic Noise • Less Noise Sensitive Land Uses (Commercial, Office, Retail, Industrial) • Promote Use of Open Space (Walking & Bike Paths, Recreational Uses) • Reorient Residential w/ Less Sensitive Uses Away from the Roadway

24. Commercial, Retail, Office

25. Open Space

26. Building Orientation or Construction Materials

27. Setback

28. Benefits of NCP Undesirable effects of highway traffic noise are eliminated or reduced by encouraging less noise sensitive land uses next to highways

29. Benefits of NCLUP (cont) • Proactive planning • Better quality of life • Reduces residential complaints • Future cost savings • Property value increases • Promotes public-private shared responsibility

30. Hindrances to Implementing NCP

31. Role of Leaders and Policy Professionals Encourage: • Increased use of NCP strategies • Educational resources • Less frequent use of noise walls

32. Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use  Lesson 3 Noise Compatible Reduction Techniques – Physical Responses  Federal Highway Administration

33. Lesson 3 - Objective • Impact of the physical environment on how sound is heard • Physical strategies applied as part of NCP

34. Key Terms for Noise Measurements Source – Noise Emitter Propagation Medium – Path to the Receiver Receiver – Location Where Noise Is Assessed

35. Key Variables Affecting Noise • Distance • Topography

36. Distance Creates A Buffer

37. Elevatedor Depressed Roadways Affect Sound Patterns

38. Design and Construction Characteristics • Acoustical Site Planning • Acoustical Architectural Design • Acoustical Construction

39. Acoustical Site Planning • Provide a buffer zone between • roadway and development • Place single story units adjacent to • roadway • Ensure that rear yard faces roadway • Provide landscaping & recreational • features, i.e. landscaping, earthen • berms, winding jogging trails

40. Single Family with Earth Berm

41. Acoustical Construction:Double Pane Doors and Windows “Soundproofing greatly reduces interior noise penetration.” Photos from Van Nuys Airport’s Noise Management Report found at www.lawa.org/vny.htm

42. Acoustical Construction:Thicker Sound Resistant Walls – No Highway Side Windows

43. Acoustical Construction:Thicker Sound Resistant Walls at Rear with Front Windows

44. Insulation materials Acoustic Vinyl Barrier 2lbQUIETBARRIER™ Acoustic Vinyl Barrier 1lb

46. Lesson 4 Noise Compatible Reduction Techniques- Policy and Administrative Strategies

47. Lesson 4 - Objective Familiarize participants with the variety of tools available to local governments in support of NCP

48. Strategies for Municipalities ■ Zoning (Strongest category of land control) ■ Clustering ■ Plat Notation

49. Authorities to Mandate Implementation of Noise Compatible Principles Local Governments ♦ Municipal Governments

50. Setbacks and Buffer Zones