NOISE WORKSHOPS Let s Talk About That Noise
What is a traffic noise workshop? An informal meeting between TxDOT personnel and owners of property adjacent to a proposed noise barrier(s). 2
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 3
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 4
A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process Identify adjacent land uses for noise sensitive areas (residences, schools, churches, parks, etc) INCLUDES PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT 5
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 6
A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process FHWA s Traffic Noise Model (TNM) 7
A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process 8
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 9
A Brief Overview of the Traffic Noise Process Noise Barrier AKA Sound Walls Are barriers REASONABLE AND FEASIBLE? 10
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 11
Feasible and Reasonable (TxDOT Noise Guidelines) 12
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. 13
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). 14
Sample Ballot 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-ofway 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 rightof-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. 15
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 16
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 17
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 18
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. 19
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 20
NOISE WORKSHOP SAMPLE 9/9/16
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 22
Highway Traffic Noise 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) Source >>>Propagation Path>>>Receiver 23
Buildings Buildings Buildings Fences Fences 24
Topography 25
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 26
Traffic Noise Impacts 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. FHWA has established Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) to determine possible traffic noise impacts on various activity areas. db(a) (Leq) 57 A 67 B Residential 67 C NOISE ABATEMENT CRITERIA (NAC) Activity Area Category 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 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 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. 27
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) 28
Our Noise Study does What? Identifies land use and activity areas that may be impacted by highway traffic noise Homes Determines existing noise levels Predicts noise levels 20 years in the future for No-Build and Build Alternatives Parks Examines and evaluates ways to reduce noise impacts (abatement measures) Schools 29
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 30
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?????????????????????????????? 31
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 -7 Cost for each Benefitted Receiver Opinion of the benefitted receiver where the final decision to construct sound wall or not is by a simple majority vote 32
Cost for each Benefitted Receiver -5-5 -7-5 -5-5 = Total Cost # Benefitted??????????????????????????????????????????????????? SOUND WALL???????????????????????????????????????????????????? 33
Sound Walls MOST Likely to be Feasible and Reasonable 34
Sound Walls NOT Likely to be Feasible and Reasonable 35
Public Involvement Consent of a Majority of Adjacent Property Owners??????????????????????? SOUND WALL?????????????????????? 36
How Sound Walls Work A Diffraction B C A + B > C = Longer Path Length 37
When Sound Walls are MORE Effective 200 ft -5 Source Within TxDOT ROW Receiver -5 Source Within TxDOT ROW Receiver 38
When Sound Walls are MORE Effective -5 Inside TxDOT ROW -5 Outside TxDOT ROW 39
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 40
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 41
www.txdot.com Comments : TxDOT ATTN: District Environmental Coordinator P.O. Box 66666 Austin, TX 66666 For More Information Contact: John Doe 512.555.5555 42
Documentation 43
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 44
Questions?????? 45