Entering the Quiet Zone: Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

Noise Compatible Land Use Planning -- What It Is and Why You Should Consider It

Introduction

Highway traffic noise is an important issue for communities across America. If not properly addressed, highway noise can disrupt our daily routines by interrupting sleep, recreational activities, and even our conversations.

Local planners, developers, and residents attend numerous meetings and spend many hours considering methods to address existing or anticipated noise from nearby roads.

Effective control of highway traffic noise requires a three-part approach:

Implementing source control and quieting vehicles at the source.
Incorporating noise reduction measures in highway construction projects.
Developing land adjacent to highways in a manner that reduces or eliminates noise problems (i.e., noise-compatible land-use planning).

Much emphasis has been given to the first two parts. First, trucks and tires have become quieter. Second, through the end of 1998, 44 State departments of transportation and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have constructed more than 1,620 linear miles of barriers at a cost of more than $1.4 billion. However, sufficient attention is often not given to the noise compatible land use planning option.

Avoiding a problem is frequently more effective than trying to correct an existing one. Though we accept that new growth and development often occur next to busy, existing highways, we can help communities address highway traffic noise before -- rather than after -- a frustrating noise problem has occurred.

FHWA wants developers, government officials, planners, and private citizens to know that the best way to reduce highway traffic noise is usually by advance planning and shared responsibility. Local government and developers working cooperatively with Federal and State governments can plan, design, and construct new development projects and new roadways so that traffic noise is reduced. How? One key way is by using noise compatible land use planning.

FHWA has prepared this booklet to explain noise compatible land use planning, offer strategies, and outline advantages of a proactive approach for sharing in and actively influencing land use next to highways. Read on to learn the "what," "how," and "why," of this important noise-control method.

There's something else to consider that reduces noise? Noise compatible land use planning!

What is Noise Compatible Land Use Planning?

Noise compatible land use planning is planning that eliminates or reduces the undesirable effects of highway traffic noise by:

Encouraging the location of less noise-sensitive land uses next to highways.
Promoting the use of open space or special building construction techniques to minimize noise impact.

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