Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

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Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

• Mark Ferroni, Leader
• Highway Traffic Noise Team

June 27-29, 2006 FHWA Environmental Conference
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Federal Regulation

• 23 CFR Part 772 Procedures for Abatement of
  Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise
• to establish requirements for information to be
  given to local officials for use in the planning
  and design of highways.

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Section 772.5 Definitions

• Type I
• Projects on new location
• Physical alteration of horizontal and/or vertical
  alignment
• Increase in the number of through travel lanes
• Type II
• A proposed Federal or Federal-aid highway project
  for noise abatement on an existing highway.

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Section 772.7(b)Applicability of Type II

• 772.7(b)
• Type II projects are not mandatory requirements
  of this regulation.
• Development and implementation of Type II
  projects are at the option of the State DOT

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Section 772.13(b)Federal Participation

• Federal funding for noise abatement for Type II
  projects only approved
• If approved before 11/28/95, or
• Proposed along lands where land development or
  substantial construction predated the existence
  of any highway
• For areas not previously rejected for a barrier
  in a Type I project

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Section 772.15Information for Local Officials

• To help prevent future traffic noise impacts on
  currently undeveloped lands, provide
• Best estimate of future noise levels
• Information useful to adjacent communities
• Information on Federal Type II funding
  ineligibility

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3-Part Approach to Highway Traffic Noise Control

• Source Control
• Highway Facilities Measures
• Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

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Source Control Noise Sources for Heavy Trucks
Exhaust
Air Intake
Tire Noise
Engine
Gears
Fan
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Highway Facility Measures

• Location Highway alignments existing terrain
• Operation Speed Reduction, Truck Prohibition,
  Lane Restrictions, Signal Timing (TCMs)
• Design Buffer Zone, Building Insulation,
  Vegetation, Pavement Type, Earthen Berms, Noise
  Barriers

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Noise Compatible Land Use Planning

• Local governments guiding the development of
  un-developed land near existing highways.
• Ways to reduce the impact of highway-generated
  noise upon existing developed activities

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How to accomplish.

• Planning Practices
• Developer Practices
• Building Practices
• State Examples

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Planning Practices

• Place specific language on legal documents
  plats

San Antonio, Texas 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.
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Planning Practices

• Encourage nonresidential uses

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Planning Practices

• Include buffer zones, increase setbacks
• Adopt land use compatible standards into city
  codes

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Developer Practices

• Buffer zone between roadway and development

• (i.e. earthern berms, recreational features)

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Developer Practices

• Single story units adjacent to roadway

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Developer Practices

• Less sensitive areas of houses facing roadway
• Outdoor activities away from roadway

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Building Practices

• Double paned windows

• Removal of windows facing roadway

• Increased insulation

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State Examples

• Arizona
• California
• Maryland
• Montana
• Ohio

• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Washington

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Be Proactive

• Begin dialogue NOW
• Consider noise compatible land use planning
  options when
• modifying Comprehensive Plans,
• adopting standards
• Education inform the public