Method to determine reasonableness and feasibility of noise abatement at special use locations

    Authors

    R. L. Wayson; J. M. MacDonald; W. Lindeman;Council Natl Res

    Comments

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    Keywords

    Engineering, Environmental; Engineering, Civil; Transportation

    Abstract

    Most states have policies in place that determine whether noise abatement is necessary and reasonable/feasible for Type I projects. These policies mirror federal guidance and apply to various land uses near the proposed project. Special land use facilities such as parks, churches, and schools are included in the policy as far as when abatement may be necessary (i.e., FHWA noise abatement criteria), but the determination of whether the abatement is reasonable or feasible may not be adequately addressed. A survey of state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) indicated that states are dealing with this need for reasonable/feasible determination for special land uses but do not have formal policies in place to address the issue. A systematic procedure would eliminate arbitrary decisions. A methodology developed for the Florida DOT to aid in the development of a procedure for special land use cases is presented. This methodology includes a feasibility flowchart that leads an individual through the process of determining whether abatement at a special land use site is feasible. The feasibility flowchart directs the individual to cease analysis because abatement is not feasible or to continue onto a reasonableness worksheet that determines whether abatement at the site is reasonable. The reasonableness worksheet leads the individual through site-specific calculations to derive an "abatement cost factor" used to determine reasonableness of abatement at the site.

    Journal Title

    Environmental and Social Effects of Transportation

    Issue/Number

    1626

    Publication Date

    1-1-1998

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    49

    Last Page

    57

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000081982800006

    ISSN

    0361-1981; 0-309-06471-6

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