Noise Compatible Planning

Workshops

NCP Workshop PowerPoint Presentation in HTML format

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I. Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use

Lesson 1
Roadway Noise and FHWA Guidelines

Federal Highway Administration

II. Roadway Travel

This slide shows several automobiles entering a multi-lane roadway via an on-ramp. There are several vehicle types on the roadway and urban development in the background.

III. What is Noise?

Loud Sound
Annoying, Unwanted Sound

Loud or annoying, unwanted sound is noise. A photograph of a multi-lane roadway with travel in both directions is emanating sound waves to the photograph of a human ear.

IV. Negative Effects of Sound

Lowers the quality of life
Can impact outside conversation
May deter some development
Some studies show harmful health effects

V. Common Noise Levels

Jet aircraft take off	Uncomfortably loud	120 dBA
Lawnmower , Vacuum	Moderately loud	70 dBA
Library	Very quiet	30 dBA

VI. Who's Responsible?

Federal Highway Administration Sets National Guidelines
States Implement Federal and State Guidelines
Local Governments Enact Land Use Policies

VII. Noise Assessments

Required as part of NEPA Process
Determine whether there are sensitive receivers
- Computer modeling
- Review of land use plans
- Aerial photography

VIII. 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..."

IX. 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.

X. 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

XI. FHWA Approach to Roadway Noise

3-Part Approach to Traffic Noise Control
- Source Control
- Reduction Measures in Highway Construction
- Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

XII. Source Control: Noise Sources for Heavy Trucks

A heavy truck has many sub-sources which contribute to the overall sound levels, such as engine, fan, gears, intake, exhaust, and tires.

XIII. 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)

XIV. The TNM Model

The FHWA Traffic Noise Model is a state-of-the-art prediction tool used to predict future noise levels for highway projects.

XV. Noise Criteria

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

XVI. N C P Mitigation Strategies

Main NCP strategies include use of open space to preclude development, location of non-noise sensitive land uses near roadways, and building orientation and design to minimize or avoid negative noise effects.

Commercial, Retail, Office Uses
Open Space
Thoughtful Orientation of Residential Uses and Materials

XVII. Residential - Commercial

A commercial land use with a large parking lot is located between a roadway and a residential land use.

XVIII. Noise Reducing Construction Design

A residential structure is located near a roadway. To minimize noise levels entering the facade, no windows are located on the structure that face the roadway.

XIX. Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use

Lesson 2

Overview Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

XX. Lesson 2: Overview Noise Compatible Planning

What Constitutes NCP?
Benefits of NCP
Potential Hindrances to Implementing NCP

XXI. What Constitutes NCP?

NCP addresses potential highway noise before problems occur

Appropriate development that can accommodate roadway noise is encouraged next to highways

XXII. Why Talk About Noise Compatible Land Use Planning?

Opportunity Costs (more roadway and construction $)
May Block Light and "Close-in" Neighborhoods

By avoiding noise impacts, more highway dollars can be allocated to other projects and avoid construction of noise walls, which may impact some communities visually or in other ways. Several noise barriers which visually impact nearby land uses are shown.

XXIII. PURPOSE

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

XXIV. Commercial, Retail, Office

These types of land uses are non-noise sensitive and may be located near roadways for better visibility.

XXV. Open Space

The use of open space near roadways can be valuable for utilities, recreational areas, or to preclude development and allow for roadway widening.

XXVI. Building Orientation or Construction Materials

A house layout that locates noisier rooms nearer to the roadway and provides extra insulation to minimize interior noise impacts.

XXVII. Setback

By providing a few hundred feet of setback adjacent to a highway to preclude development will avoid noise impacts since noise levels dissipate as one moves further from the noise source.

XXVIII. Benefits of NCP

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

XXIX. Benefits of NCLUP (cont)

Proactive planning
Better quality of life
Reduces residential complaints
Future cost savings
Property value increases
Promotes public-private shared responsibility

XXX. Hindrances to Implementing NCP

This slide shows several of the hindrances to implementing a NCP program, such as being cost prohibitive, zoning and ordinance conflicts, and other intergovernmental issues.

XXXI. Role of Leaders and Policy Professionals

Encourage:

Increased use of NCP strategies
Educational resources
Less frequent use of noise walls

XXXII. Implementing Noise Compatible Land Use

Lesson 3

Noise Compatible Reduction Techniques - Physical Responses

XXXIII. Lesson 3 - Objective

Impact of the physical environment on how sound is heard
Physical strategies applied as part of NCP

XXXIV. Key Terms for Noise Measurements

Source - Noise Emitter
Propagation Medium - Path to the Receiver
Receiver - Location Where Noise Is Assessed

XXXV. Key Variables Affecting Noise

Distance
Topography

XXXVI. Distance Creates A Buffer

The use of open space between source and receive allows for noise to reduce with distance, also called a buffer zone.

XXXVII. Elevated or Depressed Roadways Affect Sound Patterns

Raising or lowering a roadway relative to nearby receivers can affect the noise level

XXXVIII. Design and Construction Characteristics

Acoustical Site Planning
Acoustical Architectural Design
Acoustical Construction

XXXIX. 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

XL. Single Family with Earth Berm

A single family home's windows are blocked by an intervening berm and wall combination while a two-story house's windows are not blocked.

XLI. Acoustical Construction: Double Pane Doors and Windows

	"Soundproofing greatly reduces interior noise penetration"

Sound proofing of homes, typically by using double-paned windows and solid-core doors, can greatly reduce interior noise levels

"Soundproofing greatly reduces
interior noise penetration"

XLII. Acoustical Construction: Thicker Sound Resistant Walls - No Highway Side Windows

The use of thicker building materials, such as concrete and masonry brick, along with minimizing the number of windows exposed to noise sources, can reduce interior noise levels.

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

A house, with a courtyard located in the front yard, shields receivers from noise.

XLIV. Insulation materials

	Acoustic Vinyl Barrier 1lb		Acoustic Vinyl Barrier 2lb QUIETBARRIER™

Use of thicker or better insulation materials can reduce the amount of noise that enters a home from the exterior.

Acoustic Vinyl Barrier 1lb

Acoustic Vinyl Barrier 2lb QUIETBARRIER™

XLV. Google Search - Noise Insulation

An online search will result in numerous "hits" on insulating materials to soundproof homes.

XLVI. Lesson 4

Noise Compatible Reduction Techniques-
Policy and Administrative Strategies

XLVII. Lesson 4 - Objective

Familiarize participants with the variety of tools available to local governments in support of NCP

XLVIII. Strategies for Municipalities

Zoning
(Strongest category of land control)
Clustering
Plat Notation

XLIX. Authorities to Mandate Implementation of Noise Compatible Principles

Local Governments

Municipal Governments

L. Setbacks and Buffer Zones

Setbacks and buffer zones can provide adequate distance for noise impacts to be avoided, and can also be used for utility location or other recreational uses.

LI. Place specific language on legal documents & plats

City of San Antonio's subdivision plats state:

	"For residential development directly adjacent to State right of way, the Developer shall be responsible for adequate set-back and/or sound abatement measures for future noise mitigation."

The City of San Antonio in Texas has subdivision plats that state the developer is responsible for sound abatement or noise impact avoidance (para.).

"For residential development directly adjacent to State right of way, the Developer shall be responsible for adequate set-back and/or sound abatement measures for future noise mitigation."

LII. Adopt Land Use Compatible Standards Into City Codes

Building codes Landscaping & screening requirements Noise ordinance	Zoning Ordinance Comprehensive Plan/General Plan Major Thoroughfare Plan

Building codes
Landscaping & screening requirements
Noise ordinance

Zoning Ordinance
Comprehensive Plan/General Plan
Major Thoroughfare Plan

LIII. Examples of Communities with Land Use Compatible Planning Practices

Pennsylvania Montana Arizona	City of San Antonio City of Huntington Beach City of Gilbert Arizona

Pennsylvania
Montana
Arizona

City of San Antonio
City of Huntington Beach
City of Gilbert Arizona

LIV. Class Conclusion

We Hope You Are Encouraged !

Look for opportunities to advise others of options to improve compatibility of roadways and adjacent land uses.
Encourage local governments and developers to adopt these strategies.