Effectiveness of Noise Barriers Installed Adjacent to Transverse Grooved Concrete Pavement

Effectiveness of Noise Barriers Installed Adjacent to Transverse Grooved Concrete Pavement PDF Author: Lloyd Allen Herman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Noise barriers
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description
In recent years the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has reconstructed a number of roadways where asphalt pavements were replaced with random transverse grooved concrete pavements. Upon completion, residents living adjacent to the reconstructed roadways have complained of increased noise levels. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM) is used to determine if predicted traffic noise levels warrant abatement and to design the abatement structures. The public perception problem described above suggests that the model does not result in adequate noise barrier abatement designs near random transverse grooved concrete pavements. The overall goal of this project was to provide ODOT with accurate TNM noise predictions when modeling random transverse grooved concrete pavement highways. Three random transverse grooved PCC roadway sites were chosen for study where high quality sound recordings were taken. Sites 1 (Cincinnati I-275) and 2 (Troy I-75) were chosen to represent the noise quality experienced by residents adjacent to the roadway, where the residential areas were separated from the roadway by sound barriers. Site 3 (Madison County I-70) was chosen to study the attenuation of road noise with distance in an easily-characterized environment; an open soybean cropland essentially level on both sides of the roadway with no noise barrier. Through a paired t-test the research findings determined that the sample means of the TNM average pavement and the ODOT random transverse grooved pavement were not equivalent based upon a level of confidence of 95 percent. An examination of the one-third octave band frequency levels indicated that at frequencies greater than 500 Hz, the measured traffic noise levels exceeded both the TNM average pavement type and TNM ODOT random transverse grooved pavement predictions. However, at frequencies less than 500 Hz the predictions tended to exceed the measurements. It is recommended that the experimental version of TNM developed for this project, using the current ODOT random transverse grooved concrete pavement REMEL, should not be used in practice due to its potential to under-predict traffic noise levels. A new surface texture specification should also be developed for concrete pavements to replace the current specification in order to reduce tire/pavement noise levels while maintaining or improving safety and durability characteristics.

Effectiveness of Noise Barriers Installed Adjacent to Transverse Grooved Concrete Pavement

Effectiveness of Noise Barriers Installed Adjacent to Transverse Grooved Concrete Pavement PDF Author: Lloyd Allen Herman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Noise barriers
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description
In recent years the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has reconstructed a number of roadways where asphalt pavements were replaced with random transverse grooved concrete pavements. Upon completion, residents living adjacent to the reconstructed roadways have complained of increased noise levels. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM) is used to determine if predicted traffic noise levels warrant abatement and to design the abatement structures. The public perception problem described above suggests that the model does not result in adequate noise barrier abatement designs near random transverse grooved concrete pavements. The overall goal of this project was to provide ODOT with accurate TNM noise predictions when modeling random transverse grooved concrete pavement highways. Three random transverse grooved PCC roadway sites were chosen for study where high quality sound recordings were taken. Sites 1 (Cincinnati I-275) and 2 (Troy I-75) were chosen to represent the noise quality experienced by residents adjacent to the roadway, where the residential areas were separated from the roadway by sound barriers. Site 3 (Madison County I-70) was chosen to study the attenuation of road noise with distance in an easily-characterized environment; an open soybean cropland essentially level on both sides of the roadway with no noise barrier. Through a paired t-test the research findings determined that the sample means of the TNM average pavement and the ODOT random transverse grooved pavement were not equivalent based upon a level of confidence of 95 percent. An examination of the one-third octave band frequency levels indicated that at frequencies greater than 500 Hz, the measured traffic noise levels exceeded both the TNM average pavement type and TNM ODOT random transverse grooved pavement predictions. However, at frequencies less than 500 Hz the predictions tended to exceed the measurements. It is recommended that the experimental version of TNM developed for this project, using the current ODOT random transverse grooved concrete pavement REMEL, should not be used in practice due to its potential to under-predict traffic noise levels. A new surface texture specification should also be developed for concrete pavements to replace the current specification in order to reduce tire/pavement noise levels while maintaining or improving safety and durability characteristics.

Evaluating Pavement Strategies and Barriers for Noise Mitigation

Evaluating Pavement Strategies and Barriers for Noise Mitigation PDF Author: Paul R. Donavan
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 0309283507
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 73

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Book Description
"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 738: Evaluating Pavement Strategies and Barriers for Noise Mitigation presents a methodology for evaluating feasibility, reasonableness, effectiveness, acoustic longevity, and economic features of pavement strategies and barriers for noise mitigation. The methodology uses a life-cycle cost analysis to examine the economic features of mitigation alternatives, the FHWA Traffic Noise Model to integrate the noise reduction performance of pavements and barriers, and on-board sound intensity measurements as an input to the prediction model. The appendixes contained in the research agency's final report provide elaborations and detail on several aspects of the research. The appendixes are not included with the print version of the report, but are available online." --Publisher description.

Design of Wood Highway Sound Barriers

Design of Wood Highway Sound Barriers PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Noise barriers
Languages : en
Pages : 66

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Book Description
As new and existing U.S. residential areas and high volume highways continue to intermingle, traffic noise abatement procedures continue to be important. This study investigated the acoustic effectiveness, public acceptance, and structural requirements of various designs and types of sound barriers. In addition, the acoustic effectiveness of a prototype sound barrier is reported. Results are presented on the acoustic effectiveness from in situ measurements of one cement bonded composite panel barrier and four precast concrete, two plywood, two glued-laminated, and three post and panel barriers. The research on public acceptance of sound barriers focused on the perception of visual compatibility. Based on results from semantic-differential and individual ratings, wood and concrete barrier designs were perceived to have favored gbsruralgcs qualities. Data collected during the research on acoustic effectiveness and public acceptance were used to develop structural requirements and construction details for a prototype wood sound barrier. The prototype wood sound barrier provided insertion losses of 15 dB or greater, exceeding the 10-dB acceptable performance for a highway sound barrier.

In-service Experience with Traffic Noise Barriers

In-service Experience with Traffic Noise Barriers PDF Author: William Bowlby
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 9780309053099
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
This synthesis will be of interest to highway environmental engineers, noise analysts, design engineers, maintenance personnel, planners, administrators, and others responsible for the design, selection, and maintenance of noise barriers or other traffic noise abatement policies. Information is provided on current state practice associated with noise abatement techniques and on the various products that are used. This synthesis describes the state of the art with respect to traffic noise abatement procedures, especially noise barriers. This report of the Transportation Research Board provides information on the design, construction and maintenance of both new (Type I) and retrofit ( Type II) noise barriers. The design elements that are addressed include materials, the selection process, service life, foundations, drainage, aesthetics, and safety. The construction section covers technical problems related to surface effects, durability, snow damage, and costs. Other noise abatement measures such as insulation and highway design alternatives are also addressed. The issue of public demand and availability funding is included, and recommendations are made to improve the situation.

Smart Sensor for Autonomous Noise Monitoring (SSAM)

Smart Sensor for Autonomous Noise Monitoring (SSAM) PDF Author: Douglas Meegan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Detectors
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
This project involved the development of a cost-effective sensor for long-range wireless, autonomous traffic noise monitoring. The device is called the Smart Sensor For Autonomous noise Monitoring (SSAM). The SSAM system developed under this project includes ten prototype sensors that measure and report noise levels periodically (e.g., once per minute) to a prototype base station that may be located up to 1.2 miles away. The data reported by SSAM includes flat-weighted and A-weighted sound pressure levels as well as octave band measurements over the frequency range of 22 to 5657 Hz. The system performance is similar to a Type 1 microphone as demonstrated in laboratory calibration tests reported here. The SSAM system developed in this project has been used to measure highway noise barrier insertion loss. The low-cost design of SSAM as well as the ability to perform autonomous measurements provides a new cost-effective approach to noise monitoring.

Cost-benefit Analysis

Cost-benefit Analysis PDF Author: Cori Vanchieri
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description
"EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: At highway speeds, the major source of noise is the interaction between tires and the road surface. Noise barriers have been used by state transportation departments for many years and are the preferred solution for reducing highway traffic noise. Federal Highway Administration regulations for highway traffic and construction noise abatement are included in the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR772)1 and currently only consider noise barriers as an abatement measure for highway noise. However, pavement type can considerably reduce the noise generated from tire-road interaction. Yet considering pavement as a noise abatement measure is currently only allowed for pilot projects approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Through the end of 2010, 47 state departments of transportation and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have constructed more than 2,748 linear miles of barriers at a cost of close to 5 .5 billion (in 2010 dollars)2 . Treatment of highway pavement is generally less costly than the construction of barriers, but the noise reduction achieved by a quieter pavement is typically less than the reduction from a well-designed barrier, at least for residents in the immediate vicinity of the barrier. However, quieter pavements produce a reduction of noise at the source, which means that it may be possible to increase the number of benefited receptors (the recipient of an abatement measure that receives a noise reduction at or above the highway agency's chosen noise impact threshold value). A combination of barrier and pavement treatment may lead to cost-effective solutions to highway noise. To evaluate effectiveness of quieter pavements, a reliable measurement method for tire/road noise is needed. The method that is currently favored is measuring On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI). OBSI data are collected in conformance with AASHTO TP-76,3 the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Standard Method of Test for Measurement of Tire/Pavement Noise Using the On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) Method. A workshop on cost-benefit analysis of noise barriers and quieter pavements was held on January 16, 2014. One objective of the workshop was to evaluate the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 738, "Evaluating Pavement Strategies and Barriers for Noise Mitigation". Report 738 was prepared under Project 10-76, and is typically referred to as NCHRP 10-76.4 The report describes a methodology for the evaluation of both barriers and pavements for noise abatement, and explores how quieter pavement technology can be incorporated into Federal and state noise policy. Three key elements of the method presented in NCHRP 10-76 involve life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), the use of a research version5 of the Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (TNM), and a method for the evaluation of tire pavement noise reduction, OBSI. This report contains summaries of the presentations given during the workshop and the results of discussions identifying the challenges presented by implementing the NCHRP 10-76 methodology, especially to state departments of transportation, which carry out noise abatement projects in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and in conformance with the federal requirements in 23 CFR772. Using LCCA, planners can evaluate the initial cost of abatement using pavement and barriers as well as rehabilitation and maintenance costs. The methodology also incorporates a measure of the effectiveness of the resulting predicted level of traffic noise. Current regulations require impact determination and barrier design to be completed with the public-release version of TNM and average pavement. By using a research version of TNM and OBSI data to refine the tire-pavement interaction noise source, pavement effects could be included in the model (and therefore predictions could be more accurate and pavement type can be considered when assessing noise impact and abatement). Several examples illustrated that the NCHRP 10-76 approach can be successfully applied to real highway project studies. In some situations, a barrier-and-pavement hybrid solution can be more acoustically effective and/or cost effective than a barrier only solution and can allow for additional benefited receptors where a barrier only solution would not be feasible and/or reasonable. Both current regulations and the public- release version of TNM require modification if the noise reduction benefits of pavements are to be realized in construction projects. The noise reduction achieved by sound propagation over sound-absorptive pavement could also be included in the public-release version of TNM. An important part of the workshop, which was attended by noise barrier and pavement experts, as well as representatives from the FHWA and state departments of transportation, was to discuss the challenges of implementing NCHRP 10-76 methodology to state departments of transportation and to develop findings and recommendations based on these discussions. The key elements of these discussions are presented in Chapter 3 of this report. The following recommendations appear in Chapter 4 of this report: Develop and document a noise evaluation process that accounts for both noise barriers and quieter pavements. Provide funding and implement the method presented to evaluate the abatement options on a pilot program basis to help evaluate and improve the process. Upgrade the public release version of TNM to include the OBSI-related pavement assessment capabilities currently available in the research version of TNM. Organize and make publically available national databases for OBSI and LCCA. Expand TNM and highway noise abatement training to include consideration of quieter pavements and enable use of the research version of TNM. Encourage FHWA to develop guidance on the use of quieter pavements and barriers for noise abatement. Incorporate noise performance into a new performance management system. Develop and provide a noise abatement training program for pavement engineering staff. Other presentations from the workshop with important background information relevant to cost benefit analysis, noise barriers, and quieter pavements are summarized in Appendix A. The workshop agenda, the names of the participants, definitions of terms and a list of acronyms are provided in Appendix B, Appendix C, and Appendix D."

Evaluation of Alternatives to Sound Barrier Walls

Evaluation of Alternatives to Sound Barrier Walls PDF Author: Shuo Li
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781622602728
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The existing INDOT noise wall specification was developed primarily on the basis of knowledge of the conventional precast concrete panel systems. Currently, the constructed cost of conventional noise walls is approximately $2 million per linear mile. The noise wall is considered to be cost effective when a 5 dBA reduction can be achieved at a cost of no more than $25,000 per benefited receiver or $30,000 per benefited receiver in those cases where a majority of the receivers were in place prior to construction of the highway. In many areas, however, the above cost-effectiveness criteria are exceeded with the result that the areas are not eligible for federal-aid funding for noise abatement. Consequently, the residents in these areas are dissatisfied that no noise reduction measures are provided to them. Several alternative options may be considered by INDOT to address the above issues. The first option would be to raise the cost per receiver to make more areas eligible for noise walls. The second option would be to do nothing. The third option would be to adopt an optional line of sight (LOS) wall policy to improve customer satisfaction at a less expensive cost. Critical review was conducted on the current traffic noise policies by state DOTs nationwide, including Type II project participation, reasonableness of noise abatement, cost effectiveness of noise abatement, and third party funding. Four different types of noise barriers, including one conventional precast concrete wall and three LOS walls were installed in the study areas for field investigation. Evaluation was made on the issues relating to the construction, cost and structures of the installed noise walls, particularly the LOS walls. Recommendations were made to modify INDOT traffic noise policy and noise wall specifications.

Community Perception of Noise Barriers

Community Perception of Noise Barriers PDF Author: Michael A. Perfater
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Noise barriers
Languages : en
Pages : 22

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Book Description
The report presents the findings of a study of timber, concrete, and metal barriers installed along certain of the Commonwealth's interstate and primary roads. A total of 297 home interviews were conducted in five communities to determine citizens' perception of the effectiveness of these barriers. The interviews were conducted over a 13-week period during the summer of 1978. More than two-thirds of the respondents had lived in their current dwellings before the noise barrier was built; 11% of them before the highway facility was built. About 92% of the respondents were homeowners, 60% were between the ages of 31 and 50 and the average age of the homes surveyed was 12 years. For all five sites, 78% of the respondents were satisfied with the barriers and about half felt the barriers were reducing the noise significantly. In general satisfaction they ranked the concrete barrier first and a barrier with offset metal panels next. Aesthetically, a wood panel type barrier was rated the most desirable. In urban locations the wooden barriers appeared to be slightly more desirable than the metal one. Barriers along non-limited access roads were not seen to be as effective as those located along limited access roads. In addition to attenuating noise, barriers were said to provide security from would be-intruders, uniformity in the appearance of the neighborhood, privacy, safety and a reduction in road tar and air pollution. About a third of the respondents said that the barriers had a positive effect on the value of their property. A significant number of respondents indicated that vegetation was a viable alternative to noise barriers.

Guidelines for the Preservation of High-traffic-volume Roadways

Guidelines for the Preservation of High-traffic-volume Roadways PDF Author: David G. Peshkin
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 0309128927
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 62

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Book Description
TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Report S2-R26-RR-2: Guidelines for the Preservation of High-Traffic-Volume Roadways explores the state of the practice for preservation treatments on high- and low-volume asphalt and concrete roadways. The report also includes suggested guidelines on the application of preservation treatments on high-volume roadways.

Community Perception of Noise Barriers

Community Perception of Noise Barriers PDF Author: Michael A. Perfater
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Noise barriers
Languages : en
Pages : 33

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Book Description
The report presents the findings of a study of eight noise barriers installed along interstate and primary roads. A total of 488 interviews were conducted in eight communities adjacent to the barriers to determine citizens' perception of the effectiveness- of these structures. For all eight sites, 57% of the people interviewed were satisfied with the noise barriers and a little more than half felt the barriers were reducing noise. Citizens were most satisfied with a beige metal barrier and least satisfied with a blue metal barrier. Aesthetically, a wood plank barrier was rated the most desirable and the concrete wall the least. Noise barriers were seen as having a far more positive than negative effect on the adjacent communities. However, noise attenuation was found to be the primary positive effect in but three of the communities surveyed, and these three were adjacent to an interstate highway. In addition to attenuating noise, barriers were said to give uniformity to the appearance of the neighborhood, increase property values, enhance the environment and safety, and increase privacy and isolation. Perceived negative effects included degradation of community aesthetics and decreases in property values. About 23% of the respondents said they could have settled for a cash award in lieu of a barrier. A significant number of respondents indicated that vegetation should be considered as both an alternative for and as an addition to noise barriers.