Entering the Quiet Zone: Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

What Can You Do?

The Charge to Begin

An essential element for noise compatible land use planning is a local government or developer that is interested in new options for community planning and design. There must be an understanding of the "big picture" and a willingness to plan ahead to successfully implement this approach to noise reduction.

FHWA hopes that this brochure provides a first-step toward using noise compatible land planning. We want to spread the word that you can abate noise without totally enclosing your communities within barriers. You can preserve more open landscapes. Considering and using a full range of noise abatement options is part of improving the environmental quality of a community.

Planners, elected officials, developers, and community residents have choices. It is important to analyze options in advance of construction to identify the best long-term approach for maintaining quiet, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible neighborhoods. Clearly, there will be occasions when noise barriers or other highway construction techniques are desirable. The key is to consider a range of options, discuss the options with all affected groups, and identify the most appropriate response.

Next Steps

Here are some steps your community can take to make your neighborhood a quiet zone:

Include noise compatible land use as a key option during planning meetings.
Advocate noise compatible land use options to developers.
Educate elected officials and community residents about noise compatible land use planning.
Enhance zoning or other legal measures that encourage noise compatible land use planning.
Include municipal land use or easement purchases as an active strategy to promote noise compatible land use planning.

Administrative tools that can help your
community build a quiet zone:

Health Codes
Property Tax Incentives
Zoning Ordinances
Subdivision Regulations
Building Codes
"Set Back" Regulations

For more information about reducing noise in your community, contact the FHWA:

Federal Highway Administration
Office of Natural Environment
400 Seventh St., SW
Washington, D.C. 20590

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/

Your Community Deserves Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

Communities deserve for city officials, developers, planners and other stakeholders to incorporate noise compatible land use planning options into the growth and development process. Doing so will make it possible to:

Create more livable communities
Increase options for reducing the problems of highway traffic noise.
Improve community aesthetics.
Use funding for highway needs other than noise abatement.

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