Validation Report

APPENDIX A: MEASUREMENT SITE DESCRIPTIONS

All TNM Validation Phase 1 measurement sites are described here in detail, including site location, microphone positions, and meteorological system positions. This information has been reproduced from Rochat (2002). All heights of the instrumentation are measured above the ground level, with exceptions noted. In addition to a photograph of each site, the TNM plan and skew views for the model of each site are presented. The following abbreviations are applied in the site descriptions:

DGAC	Dense-graded asphalt concrete
OGAC	Open-graded asphalt concrete
PCC	Portland cement concrete
d	Distance from roadway
bb	Distance behind barrier

Site ID	01MA
Location	Taunton, MA; Route 24; Southbound side; just North of Exit 12, near overpass
Site Type	open area, flat
Ground Type	field grass, acoustically soft
Roadway	4 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, field grass median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 01MA showing a field. — Figure A.1 - A: Site 01MA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	01MA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, terrain lines (defining trench: depth = 4 ft)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 01MA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 01MA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID 02MA Location Acton, MA; Route 2; Eastbound side; 1 mile East of Exit 43 Site Type open area, undulating Ground Type field grass and alfalfa, acoustically soft Roadway 4 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, field grass median Instrumentation Positions Microphones
d = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft
d = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft
d = 400 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft
d = 600 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft Meteorological Systems
d = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft
d = 500 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 02MA showing a field. — Figure A.2 - A: Site 02MA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	02MA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, terrain lines (defining undulations: ranging from -20 to +3 ft), barrier (for large boulder)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 02MA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 02MA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	03MA
Location	Springfield, MA; Route 291; Northbound side; South of Exit 5; Smith & Wesson soccer fields
Site Type	open area, flat
Ground Type	lawn, acoustically soft
Roadway	4 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, hard soil median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 50 ft, height = 5 ft above roadway level d = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 400 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 800 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 600 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 03MA showing a field. — Figure A.3 - A: Site 03MA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	03MA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	lawn
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, ground zone (hard soil median: width = 14 ft)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 03MA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 03MA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	05CA
Location	Chino Hills, CA; Route 71; Southbound side; just North of Central Ave/Soquel Cyn Pkwy Exit; near intersection of Los Serranos and Pomona Ricon
Site Type	barrier (15 ft concrete block), flat
Ground Type	field grass, acoustically soft
Roadway	8 lanes, PCC, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 3.5 ft above barrier bb = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 125 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 05CA showing a field. — Figure A.5 - A: Site 05CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	05CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	barrier, roadways, receivers

Image showing a screenshot of Site 05CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 05CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — skew view

Figure A.5 - B: Site 05CA TNM Model Description, TNM Plan and Skew Views

Site ID	06CA
Location	Wildomar, CA; Route 15; Southbound side; South of Baxter Exit; playing fields of Donald Graham Elementary School
Site Type	barrier (ave 12.5 ft: 5 ft berm, 7.5 ft concrete block wall), flat, with 27 ft drop-off from barrier
Ground Type	lawn, acoustically soft
Roadway	6 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, grass median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 5 ft above barrier bb = 55 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 06CA showing a field and elevated barrier. — Figure A.6 - A: Site 06CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	06CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	lawn
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, barrier, terrain lines (start of change in elevation of +5 ft from roadway level to barrier base; change in elevation of -27 ft from barrier base to mic line), ground zones (hard soil for edge of road: width = 74 ft; pavement for blacktop play area: largest dimension ~ 145 ft)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 06CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 06CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	08CA Measured two microphone lines: one with a single barrier (as shown and described here) and one with parallel barriers (will be analyzed in a later phase of the study)
Location	Anaheim, CA; Route 91; Eastbound side; East of Lakeview Exit; playing fields of Peralta Canyon Park
Site Type	barrier (14.5 ft concrete block), relatively flat
Ground Type	lawn, acoustically soft
Roadway	14 lanes, PCC (HOV lanes DGAC), shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 5 ft above barrier bb = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 300 ft, height = 5 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 08CA showing a field and barrier. — Figure A.8 - A: Site 08CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	08CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	lawn
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects*	roadways, receivers, barrier

Image showing a screenshot of Site 08CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 08CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	09CA
Location	Chino, CA; Route 71; Northbound side; North of Edison/Grand Exit; field at end of Alicia St
Site Type	barrier (15 ft concrete block), flat, with 16 ft drop-off from barrier
Ground Type	field grass, acoustically soft
Roadway	10 lanes, PCC, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 5 ft above barrier bb = 55 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 09CA showing a field and barrier. — Figure A.9 - A: Site 09CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	09CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, barrier, terrain line (change in elevation of -16 ft from barrier base to mic line)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 09CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 09CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	10CA – berm Measured two microphone lines: one with a berm (as shown and described here) and one with an open area (shown next).
Location	Mira Loma, CA; Route 15; Southbound side; North of Limonite Ave Exit; field just North of Swan Lake Community
Site Type	barrier (16 ft grass-covered earth berm), flat
Ground Type	plowed dirt, acoustically soft
Roadway	6 lanes, PCC, shoulders, hard soil median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 98 ft (bb = 50 ft) (in the open area mic line), height = 5 ft bb = 70 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 110 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 90 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 10CA showing a barren field and grassy berm. — Figure A.10 - A: Site 10CA-berm Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	10CA - berm - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, barrier (as berm), ground zones (hard soil for median: width = 48 ft; loose soil for measurement field: width ~ 450 ft)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 10CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view (berm and open area sites combined)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 10CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view (berm and open area sites combined)

Site ID	10CA – open Measured two microphone lines: one with a berm (previously shown) and one with an open area (as shown and described here).
Location	Mira Loma, CA; Route 15; Southbound side; North of Limonite Ave Exit; field just North of Swan Lake Community
Site Type	open area, flat
Ground Type	plowed dirt, acoustically soft
Roadway	6 lanes, PCC, shoulders, hard soil median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 98 ft (bb = 50 ft) height = 5 ft d = 118 ft (bb = 70 ft), height = 5 and 15 ft d = 158 ft (bb = 110 ft), height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 138 ft (bb = 90 ft), height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 10CA showing a barren field. — Figure A.10 - C: Site 10CA-open Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	10CA- open - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, ground zones (hard soil for median: width = 48 ft; loose soil for measurement field: width ~ 450 ft)

Site ID	11CA
Location	Sunnyvale, CA; Route 237; Westbound side; just East of E. Caribbean Drive Exit; Eastern end of Sunnyvale Baylands County Park
Site Type	barrier (16 ft wood), relatively flat
Ground Type	field grass and some pavement, mixed acoustically soft and hard
Roadway	3 lanes + 2 auxiliary lanes, DGAC, shoulders, buffer zones, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 5 ft above barrier bb = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 300 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 11CA showing a field with small trees. — Figure A.11 - A: Site 11CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	11CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, barrier, terrain lines* (change in elevation of -4 ft from barrier base/roadway level to mic line), ground zone (pavement drive and parking area: largest width = 52 ft)

*Since there is a slight incline from the 50-ft mic to the 300-ft mic, this was accounted for in the mic line using the z coordinate of the receivers (potentially important to the sound propagation path length). When first modeling the site, a terrain line was added to the back of the site, just beyond the 300 ft mic in order to apply the slight incline to the entire area, not just the mic line. It was shown that this additional terrain line did not affect the levels and was therefore removed.

Image showing a screenshot of Site 11CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 11CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	12CA
Location	San Ramon, CA; Route 680; Northbound side; South of Bollinger Canyon Exit; Athan Downs Sports Fields (Northern most field)
Site Type	barrier (12 ft concrete block), flat, with 6 ft drop-off from barrier
Ground Type	lawn, acoustically soft
Roadway	8 lanes, PCC, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 4 ft above barrier bb = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 12CA showing a field with sparse trees and barrier. — Figure A.12 - A: Site 12CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	12CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	Lawn
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, barrier, terrain line (change in elevation of -6 ft from barrier base to mic line), ground zone (pavement for strip next to barrier, not necessary)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 12CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 12CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	13CA
Location	Sonoma, CA; Route 37; Eastbound side; ~0.5 mi East of Route 121; Tolay Creek Levee, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Site Type	open area, relatively flat
Ground Type	water, acoustically hard
Roadway	2 lanes, OGAC?, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d =50 ft (offset from mic line), height = 5 and 15 ft d = 900 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 100 ft (offset from mic line), height = 5 and 15 ft d = 900 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 13CA showing a lake. — Figure A.13 - A: Site 13CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	13CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	water
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers

Image showing a screenshot of Site 13CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 13CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	14CA
Location	Fremont, CA; Route 880; Northbound side; South of Stevenson Blvd Exit; Marshall Park
Site Type	barrier (16 ft concrete block), flat, with 2 ft drop-off from barrier
Ground Type	lawn and wood chips, acoustically soft
Roadway	8 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones bb = 0 ft, height = 5 ft above barrier bb = 50 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems bb = 75 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft bb = 135 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 14CA showing a lawn and barrier. — Figure A.14 - A: Site 14CA Description and Photograph Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	14CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers, barrier, terrain line (change in elevation of -2 ft from barrier base to mic line), ground zone (lawn area: largest width ~ 180 ft, largest length ~ 400 ft)

Image showing a screenshot of Site 14CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 14CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	15CA
Location	Oakland, CA; Route 880; Northbound side; South of 66th Ave Exit; Oakland Stadium Parking Lot C (on South side of stadium)
Site Type	open area, flat
Ground Type	pavement, acoustically hard
Roadway	10 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 40 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 400 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 105 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 300 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 15CA showing an empty parking lot. — Figure A.15 - A: Site 15CA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	15CA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	pavement
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways, receivers

Image showing a screenshot of Site 15CA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 15CA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	16MA
Location	Wayland, MA; Route 90; Eastbound side; East of Natick Exit (13); Cochituate State Park, farthest parking lot East of boat launch (adjacent to Route 30 overpass)
Site Type	open area, flat
Ground Type	mostly pavement with some lawn, acoustically hard and soft
Roadway	6 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, pavement median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 78 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 100 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 150 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 200 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 90 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 175 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 16MA showing an empty parking lot and barrier. — Figure A.16 - A: Site 16MA Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	16MA - TNM model
Default Ground Type	field grass
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways*, receivers, terrain lines (defining trench: depth = 4 ft), ground zone (pavement parking lot: width ~ 170 ft)

*Highway traffic noise from farther distances to the West is blocked by a hill and an overpass; in order to concentrate more on a simple hard ground site, these shielding objects were not modeled, and, instead, the roadways were shortened.

Image showing a screenshot of Site 16MA in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 16MA in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view

Site ID	17CT
Location	Stafford, CT; Route 84; Eastbound side; just East of Exit 72
Site Type	open, relatively flat
Ground Type	water, acoustically hard
Roadway	6 lanes, DGAC, shoulders, grass median
Instrumentation Positions	Microphones d = 60 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 1273 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft	Meteorological Systems d = 60 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft d = 1273 ft, height = 5 and 15 ft

Photograph of Site 17CT showing a lake. — Figure A.17 - A: Site 17CT Description and Photograph, Source: U.S. DOT, Volpe

Site ID	17CT - TNM model
Default Ground Type	pavement
Pavement Type	average
TNM objects	roadways*, receivers, ground zone (field grass median: width = 18 ft)

*Highway traffic noise from farther distances to the South is blocked by a hill and an overpass; in order to concentrate more on a simple hard ground site, these shielding objects were not modeled, and, instead, the roadways were shortened.

Image showing a screenshot of Site 17CT in TNM 2.5 Plan View — plan view

Image showing a screenshot of Site 17CT in TNM 2.5 Skew View — plan view