1

Status of Current FHWA Noise Activities

Mark Ferroni

Noise Team Leader

2006 Summer Meeting

Williamsburg, Virginia

2

STEP Surface Transportation Environment

and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP)

– SAFETEA-LU, Section 5207– Improve understanding of the complex

relationship between surface transportation, planning, and environment

– Follow research and technology (R&T) priorities to be established in the DOT R&D Strategic Plan

– Include stakeholder outreach

3

STEP Funding $16.875 M/year from FY06–09 authorized Due to over designation, obligation

limitations and rescissions, approximately $11.7 M/year will be available

FY2006 funding is approx. 39.2% less than average of Planning & Environment R&T funding for FY03-05

FY07 STEP Funding for Noise may be $200K, which is 75% less than average Noise R&T funding for FY03-05

4

STEP Challenges 50% match required for

grants/cooperative agreements Must encompass existing national

mandates, mandated studies and projects

FY 2006 – FY 2009 Source of funding for all FHWA Planning and Environment research

Supports research that impacts a broad array of stakeholders

5

STEP Implementation Activities

FHWA is administering the STEP, within framework of DOT R&D Strategic Plan

– Draft Implementation Strategy– Federal Register Notice to solicit

comments– Meetings with major stakeholder groups

and Federal agency partners STEP website:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm

6

STEP/Noise: Goals Provide technical knowledge to State DOTs

for determining highway traffic noise impacts; Continue to develop the FHWA TNM to

ensure that it is functional in today’s changing technology;

Determine if additional unknown variables can be incorporated into the FHWA TNM, such as atmospheric effects, pavements;

Continue to explore the various components of quieter pavements;

Determine how NCLUP can be implemented to avoid noise impacts.

7

STEP/Noise: Potential Research

Development of the FHWA TNM Version 3.0; TNM’s ability to adjust for different pavement

types within the noise analysis process; Develop standard measurement methods for

effects of pavement on noise; Additional research and management of the

quieter pavement program to assess the use of quieter pavements as a noise prevention/abatement tool;

Cost comparison between noise barriers and quieter pavements.

8

STEP 2006 Timeline July

– Issue Federal Register Notice to acknowledge comments on STEP Implementation Strategy

– Solicit suggestions for the lines of research that should be pursued within emphasis areas

July/August – Continue Outreach

September/October – Announce FY06/07 STEP Research Plan – Post on STEP website

Fall 2006– Implement STEP FY06/07 Research Plan

9

STEP/Noise: Timeline

NEED STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK BY END OF AUGUST 2006!

FEEDBACK VIA FORMS, EMAIL, LETTER, ETC..

STEP WEBSITE: www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step

10

Stakeholder Outreach

STEP Web-based feedback mechanism – draft feedback form

Tell us more aboutpotential lines of research

for this emphasis area:(500 words max.)

Tell us about current or planned research in this

emphasis area:(500 words max.)

11

What Does All This Mean For the FHWA Noise Program? Less funds, means we can do less, and

contribute to less, with inability to fund some research

Current initiatives will slow down:– TNM v3.0 development– Quieter Pavements

Engage in more pooled fund studies

12

Pooled Fund #1114: FHWA TNM v3.0 & Training

FHWA TNM v3.0 Development – Enhance the graphical user interface (GUI)– Correct known software bugs– Enhance functionality

FHWA TNM Training  – Development of a NHI, web-based training course

13

Pooled Fund: FHWA TNM v3.0 Scope

Suggested improvements can be found in the Documents section

The Design Review Group (DRG) will work with the FHWA to identify and help prioritize additional software enhancements

TRB ADC40 committee, will also be solicited for input Pavement noise effects may be added at a future

date  Comprehensive status reports at the two annual

ADC40 meeting

14

Pooled Fund: TNM Web-Based Training Scope

The DRG will be solicited to determine the:– basic structure,– duration– key points to be included

The DRG will be provided updates on the development of the course and be asked to submit comments on its content.

15

TNM Pooled Fund: Cost

TNM v3.0 Software Development: – Minimum funds needed: $200,000

• This would not allow for the completion of v3.0, but would allow for activities to begin 

– Minimum contribution/participant: $30,000• This would allow for travel costs for one individual to

participate in the two DRG meetings a year, of this 3 year activity. 

FHWA TNM Web-based Training:  – Minimum funds needed: $100,000

• There is no minimum contribution per State DOT for this activity.

16

TPF-5(135): Tire/Pavement Noise Research Consortium

Contributors: FHWA, KS, MT, TX, WA

The objectives: - Provide a forum for states to discuss tire/pavement noise issues and develop a proposed research plan.  - Pool resources and efforts of multiple state agencies and industry to perform tire/pavement noise research in a similar manner (avoiding duplication) and sharing of data. 

17

Pooled Fund: Tire/Pavement Noise Research Consortium Provide a forum  Synthesis of global practice for decreasing

tire/pavement noise;  Synthesis on the cost/benefits of using low-noise

pavements;  Produce a document for general public information

regarding noise reduction;  Provide a baseline for quieter pavement discussion

(definitions, list of acronyms);  Best practices in measuring and evaluating noise

benefits and decreases over the wearing life of the roadway surface. 

18

2006 Tire/Pavement Noise Strategic Planning Workshop

Attendees Gaps

– Construction guidelines and best practices

– Durability of the noise reduction– Cost/Benefits of Quiet Pavement– Standard tire for OBSI– Public Involvement Materials

19

Tire/Pavement Noise Initiatives

Quieter Pavement Research– CA, CO, FL, MO, TX, WA, NV, NJ

Louder Pavement Research– OH

Tire/Pavement Noise Clearinghouse Tire/Pavement Noise 101 Workshop

20

Tire/Pavement Noise Initiatives, cont.

Expert Task Group for Tire/Pavement Noise

NCHRP: – 1-44:Measuring Tire-Pavement Noise at the

Source

– 8-56:Truck Source Mapping – 10-67: Texturing of Concrete Pavements

21

Revisions to Policy Paper

Internal Review Only

Changes:– Update with information since 1995– Reorganize– Separate policy from guidance– Additional information on pavements– $15K-$50K range adjusted for inflation

22

NHI Course 142051: Highway Traffic Noise Lessons currently in the process of being

finalized

Available for delivery by beginning of Fall 2006

ISIS will be available for purchase– Demo CDs– Price Sheet– Contact information

23

Noise Compatible Land Use Planning Workshops Proceeding document

Curriculum (4 Lessons)– Discussion of Roadway Noise and FHWA

Guidelines– Overview of NCLUP– Physical Response Techniques – Policy and Administrative Strategies

Videos (individual and compiled)

24

Construction Noise

Roadway Construction Noise Model– www.rcnm.us

FHWA Highway Construction Noise Handbook

25

Recently Posted Reports

2002-2004 Noise Barrier Inventory – Summary of Noise Barriers Constructed by

December 31, 2004– Highway Traffic Noise Barrier Construction

Trends– Highway Traffic Noise Barrier Materials and Cost

By State

Highway Traffic Noise in the United States: Problem and Response