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Status of Current FHWA Noise Activities
Mark Ferroni
Noise Team Leader
2006 Summer Meeting
Williamsburg, Virginia
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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
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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 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
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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 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
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 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.)
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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
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
• 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.
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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 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:– 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– 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 – 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