Status of Current FHWA Noise Activities

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. Tell us more aboutpotential lines of researchfor this emphasis area:(500 words max.) Tell us about current or planned research in thisemphasis area:(500 words max.) Stakeholder Outreach STEP Web-based feedback mechanism – draft feedback form

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