Communities across the country are seeking non-traditional solutions to traditional challenges. Effective planning before development occurs can help create more livable communities, with improved aesthetics and a greater sense of openness. Municipalities and developers can benefit from noise compatible land use planning—and, almost always, the benefits will far outweigh the initial costs. If communities want to eliminate that “walled in” feeling from the use of noise barriers, this noise reduction strategy will be a good fit.
Some communities are beginning to reexamine the use of noise barriers for this reason and due to a loss of visibility for commercial establishments. Residents can be happier, and complaints about noise can go down. Limited highway funds can be used for needs other than noise abatement. Developers can market “quiet developments” and can recover additional development costs in sales and rental prices.
Noise barriers are often perceived as an answer to eliminating or reducing highway traffic noise impacts. Many miles and types of barriers have been constructed over the years. However, there are indications that Federal and State funding that finance noise barriers may be restricted. In fact, Federal legislation has already been enacted to prohibit participation in the construction of most noise barriers for new development that occurs next to existing highways.*
* For more information about legislation, see Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 23 CFR 772.13(b).
