Michelle Simmons LAFO Environmental Review Division · 4/5/2016 1 Michelle Simmons Environmental Officer LAFO Environmental Review Division Background HUD Noise Standards Conducting

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Michelle SimmonsEnvironmental Officer

LAFO Environmental Review Division

Background

HUD Noise Standards

Conducting Noise Assessments

Case Study

Compliance Documentation

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Implemented for HUD projects through regulation 24 CFR Part 51, Subpart B

Congress passed the Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Quiet Communities Act of 1978

HUD regulation established standards for maximum interior and exterior noise [24CFR51.101(a)(9)]

Included in 24 CFR Part 58.5, Related Federal Laws and Authorities

Indoor Standard (24CFR51.101(a)(9)): 45 DNL Max.

Outdoor Standards (24CFR51.103):

Acceptable Range: < 65 DNL

Normally Unacceptable Range: > 65 DNL < 75 DNL

Unacceptable Range: > 75 DNL

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Outdoor Standard (24 CFR51.103:Acceptable less than 65 DNLNormally Unacceptable 65-75 DNLUnacceptable Greater than 75 DNL

Indoor Standard(24 CFR51.101(a)(9)):45 DNL

0 7565 140

Threshold of PainThreshold of Hearing Damage

Threshold of Feeling

Noisy Urban Street

Average Office

Leaves Rustling

Threshold of Audibility

Near Jet Engine

Physiological Milestones

Relational Examples

New Construction - Prohibit (generally) HUD support for new construction of noise sensitive uses on sites having unacceptable noise exposure [24 CFR 51.101(a)(3)]

Rehabilitation – Encourage, or strongly encourage, noise attenuation features or convert to a land use compatible with high noise levels [24 CFR 51.101(a)(5)]

Land Use - Encourage land use patterns for housing and other noise sensitive urban needs that provide a suitable separation between them and major noise sources [24 CFR 51.100(a)(3)]

Projects with noise sensitive uses…

HUD’s Noise Standards

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New Construction - Noise must be considered for new construction or land development (including acquisition, insurance, conversion from non-residential uses) for residential or noise sensitive uses

Existing Construction Rehabilitation projects are encouraged to

provide noise attenuation If noise is in Unacceptable range, conversion to

more suitable land use is strongly encouraged

New construction versus Existing construction

…



Four Management Options:

• REDUCE: Reduce the Noise Emitted.

• SEPARATE: Move Building Further from the Sound.

• MITIGATE PROPERTY: Construct Noise Barrier.

• MITIGATE BUILDING: Use Sound-Attenuating Building Construction and Materials.

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Determine whether project is noise sensitive use

Determine if project is within proximity to major

noise source(s) – Distance is the threshold

Gather data needed for Assessment

Calculate noise level

Based on noise level make finding:

Approve project as proposed

Require noise attenuation or mitigation Reject project / Seek alternative site(s)

Overview of noise evaluation process…

Conducting Noise Assessment

Housing

Hospitals

Quiet outdoor space that is ancillary to the principal use (e.g. for recreation

Nursing Homes

Community Center

Day Care Facility

1. Determine whether project is noise sensitive use


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Is project located within….

1,000 feet of major/busy road

3,000 feet of railway

15 miles of civil airport or military airfield

If project is not within threshold distances, a noise assessment is not required.

2. Determine if project is within proximity to a major noise source or sources


Information about the project and area:

Maps of the site and surroundings

Site plan and Vicinity map

Aerial photograph – e.g. Google Earth

Topographic map – shows elevation contours

Local land use plans (future, proposed) and zoning

Is outdoor use a component of the project? (balconies, patios, decks)

Visit site

3. Gather data needed for Assessment


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The Day/Night Noise Level Assessment tool is a web-based application of the existing Noise Assessment Guidelines (NAG).

The resulting calculations automate the paper process by “filling in the blanks” and negating the need for the graphed curves and charts.

Airports obtain contour map Roadways use Day/Night NLAT Railroads use Day/Night NLAT Loud Impulsive

Sounds Add 8 dBNLAT =

https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Day-Night-Noise-Level-Assessment-Tool-User-Guide.pdf

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Roadways◦ Contact State DOT, City or County transportation agency or

Regional Planning Agency

10 Year Traffic Projections

Average Daily Traffic (ADT) http//www.

Percentage Breakdown of Automobiles and Medium and Heavy Trucks (Cars and Trucks combined.

Percentage Night time Use (Used 15% Worksheet Assumption.)

Collect information about noise sources:

Airports – Contact airport manager or FAA

Most airports have noise plan that includes Noise Contours - Nearly all installations that make noise have a plan for managing it

At Military Installations - ask for their “Air Installation Compatible Use Zone” Plan –shared with local planners and developers

3. Gather Data Needed for

Assessment


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Collect information about noise sources:

Railroads – Obtaining data: Federal Highway Administration

(FRA) at-grade crossing inventory database:

www.safetydata.fra.dod.gov/officeofsafety/publicsite/crossing/xingqryloc.aspx

Take crossing number from bungalow or signal mast

Obtain street name at crossing

3. Gather data for Assessment


Assumptions are allowable when better data is not obtainable

RoadwaysAverage speed = actual observed speed for

cars and trucks Or maximum allowable speed for cars and trucks.Night time traffic= 15% of ADT

Railroads 50 cars per diesel train 8 cars per electric trainNight time traffic = 15% of ADT

3. Gather data for Assessment

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Collect raw data and information aboutnoise sources:

Industrial Facilities

Identify factories, warehouses, heavy industrial uses within proximity of site

Hours of operation

If facilities may generate loud, impulsive sounds

3. Gather data needed for analysis

Conducting Noise Analysis

Impulse Noises have Enormous Effect

Add 8 decibels to the Total if Found (24CFR51.103(b))

The Criteria: 24CFR51.106(a)(3)◦ Loud (Explosions, Sonic

Booms, Artillery Firing, Industrial, etc.)

◦ Unpredictable

Definition: (24CFR51 Appendix I(3)(i))

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4. Calculate noise level


Overview:

Noise exposure is calculated for major noise sources typically encountered - aircraft, vehicles and trains

Sound levels are combined for a total projected noise environment – (Sound levels are not added together, rather mathematical factors combine levels based on the difference between two levels being compared)

4. Calculate noise level…the process


Select Noise Assessment Location – “NAL”

Measure distance from NAL to noise source

Input noise source data (variables) into on-line calculator

Calculate combined DNL

Re-calculate DNL accounting for barriers & mitigation, as appropriate

https://www.hudexchange.info/environmental-review/dnl-calculator /

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Conducting Noise AssessmentNAL: Noise Assessment Location

NAL is located 6.5 feet (2 meters) in front of the façade of the proposed building at the point that is closest to the noise source

If more than one building, use building nearest to noise source

May have more than one NAL for a large site or site with more than one major noise source

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First Phase of three phase transit oriented development

Provide 190 units for expanded permanent housing and social services

4. Calculate noise level…tools


Use HUD on-line calculating tool

https://www.hudexchange.info/environmental-review/dnl-calculator

https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Day-Night-Noise-Level-Assessment-Tool-User-Guide.pdf

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Aircraft: 64dB

Roadway: 76.63 dB

Projected for 2023

Railway: 64.4 dB

Impulse: 0

Site: 76.63 DNL

Unacceptable the predicted noise level is above 75 DNL, “

In accordance with 24 CFR Section 51.104(b)(2), project can qualify to receive HOME funds if the standard EIS requirement is waived by the RE’s Certifying Officer

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Recommended ERR Documentation to Support an EIS Waiver for Projects

in Unacceptable Noise Conditions

HUD Noise Waiver Requirements

Waiver request must state:

Noise is the only environmental issue

There are no sensitive outdoor uses such as patios, picnic area or balconies

Letter from Certifying Official stating criteria has been met & requesting a waiver of the EIS

Noise Assessment using HUD methodology

Compliance required for Satisfactory NoiseAttenuation

Requirements for Interior Mitigation

The use of wall materials meeting STC levels of at least 50 and double-paned windows with a minimum STC level of 35.

Project design and proper mitigation will guarantee that no noise-sensitive, outdoor uses will be included as part of the in the residential element

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Three Options for Attenuating Noise

Site Design – Moving noise-sensitive

uses away from the noise source – Best option

Barriers or Berms – Constructing physical barricades to stop noise

Structural Design & Acoustical

Construction – Changes to the building including special acoustical construction

Site Design, Barriers, Acoustical Construction

Noise Mitigation & Attenuation


Options for Exterior Mitigation

Revise the site design

Construct a barrier

Remove balconies from noise-exposed facades

Options for Interior Mitigation

Move noise-sensitive uses to interior portions of the building

Use wall sections with appropriate Sound Transmission Classifications

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preferred - barriers (berms)

also protect outdoor areas

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Responsibility of NEPA Preparer

What Do You Do?

Make developer aware of the attenuation requirements

Make decision-makers aware of the mitigation options available

What Don’t You Do?

It Is Not your responsibility to Design barriers

However…


Responsibility of NEPA Preparer

Provide site planning options that will achieve the desired result 45 dnl without huge additional cost

Remember that an alternative site may be the best solution


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Option 1: Site Planning & Design

Distance

Doubling distance from sound source can reduce intensity by 6 dB

Noise-compatible land uses as buffers

Parking, maintenance facilities, utility structures and landscaped open space

Buildings as Shields

Structures with noise-tolerant uses (Office, Retail) can block the sound energy from more sensitive uses behind them


Examples – No Impact

1) The project involves the construction of nine affordable apartments for senior citizens.

◦ A site visit confirmed the Project Area is fully surrounded by existing residential uses and not in line-of-sight of a major or arterial roadway, railroad or within the noise contour lines of a commercial or military airport (City of Los Angeles General Plan,

◦ 2) The project does not involve new construction and therefore does not involve noise sensitive land use. Therefore, project is compliance with 24 CFR 51B.

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Example-3 – Property involves noise sensitive land uses and is located within 1000 feet of a major highway

The project is located 1000 feet of Whittier Boulevard,

The ambient noise level is documented as 73 DNL

REQUIRED MITIGATION:

the project must implement all noise mitigation measures according to the StraCAT study

Example-3 – Property involves noise sensitive land uses and is located within 1000 feet of a major highway

REQUIRED MITIGATION: In order to comply

with 24 CFR 51B Continued:

Dual Pane windows for remaining units.

Mechanical ventilation systems for units in Zones A and B

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Example-4 – Property involves noise sensitive land uses and is located within 500 feet of a major highway and the community noise level is above 75 DNL.

The project is located within 500 feet of Broadway Boulevard with commercial property to the north and south and residential property to the east and west.

Enclosed documentation required for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Noise Waiver includes

Example-4 – Property within 500 feet of a major highway

EIS Waiver approval letter signed by Certifying Officer is attached.

REQUIRED MITIGATION: In order to comply with 24 CFR 51B, and satisfy the EIS Noise Waiver requirements, as described in section 2, of the attached Noise Analysis Report Exhibit 3, the project design is required to include the following noise mitigation measures

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Example-4 – Property within 500 feet of a major highway

Dual Pane windows for remaining units.

Mechanical ventilation systems for units in Zones A and B

All picnic tables will be located behind the proposed building, not in the yard facing Broadway Blvd.

Pick Another Site

Consider Exterior Mitigation

Revise the Site Design

◦ Construct a Barrier

Consider Interior Mitigation

Remove Outdoor, Noise-sensitive Uses

◦ Use Wall Sections with Appropriate Sound Transmission Classifications

◦ Move Interior, Noise-sensitive spaces to Protected Portions of the Building

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24 CFR 51B

Michelle Simmons, MS, CSP, R.E.H.S.Environmental OfficerLos Angeles Field Office213 [email protected]

Documents

Michelle Simmons LAFO Environmental Review Division · 4/5/2016 1 Michelle Simmons Environmental Officer LAFO Environmental Review Division Background HUD Noise Standards Conducting