Transcript Policy Implications Panel Discussion

Status of Current
FHWA Noise Activities
Mark Ferroni
Noise Team Leader
2006 Summer Meeting
Williamsburg, Virginia
1
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
2
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

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STEP Challenges

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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
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broad array of stakeholders
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
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STEP/Noise: Goals


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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.
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STEP/Noise: Potential Research


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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.
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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
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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
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Stakeholder Outreach
STEP Web-based feedback mechanism – draft feedback form
Tell us more about
potential lines of research
for this emphasis area:
(500 words max.)
Tell us about current or
planned research in this
emphasis area:
(500 words max.)
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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
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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
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Pooled Fund:
FHWA TNM v3.0 Scope

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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
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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.
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TNM Pooled Fund: Cost

TNM v3.0 Software Development:
–
Minimum funds needed: $200,000
•
–
Minimum contribution/participant: $30,000
•

This would not allow for the completion of v3.0, but would
allow for activities to begin
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.
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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.
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Pooled Fund: Tire/Pavement
Noise Research Consortium

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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Revisions to Policy Paper

Internal Review Only

Changes:
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Update with information since 1995
Reorganize
Separate policy from guidance
Additional information on pavements
$15K-$50K range adjusted for inflation
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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
–
–
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Demo CDs
Price Sheet
Contact information
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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)
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Construction Noise

Roadway Construction Noise Model
–

www.rcnm.us
FHWA Highway Construction Noise
Handbook
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Recently Posted Reports

2002-2004 Noise Barrier Inventory
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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
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