FHWA Highway Construction Noise Handbook

Table of Contents

• Notice, Report Documentation, & Metric Conversion
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
• LIST OF FIGURES.
• LIST OF TABLES.
• 1.0 INTRODUCTION.
  • 1.1 Background.
  • 1.2 Objectives.
  • 1.3 Handbook and CD-ROM Use.
  • 1.4 Handbook and CD-ROM Organization.
• 2.0 TERMINOLOGY
• 3.0 EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE.
  • 3.1 Introduction.
  • 3.2 Types of Effects.
    • 3.2.1 Physical Effects.
    • 3.2.2 Speech Interference.
    • 3.2.3 Activity Interference.
    • 3.2.4 Annoyance.
    • 3.2.5 Examples of Data from Previous Studies (Effects on Humans)
    • 3.2.6 Effects on Non-Humans.
• 4.0 CONSTRUCTION NOISE CRITERIA AND DESCRIPTORS.
  • 4.1 Criteria.
    • 4.1.1 History of Construction Noise Criteria.
      • 4.1.1.1 United States.
      • 4.1.1.2 Canada.
      • 4.1.1.3 Other International
  • 4.2 Descriptors.
• 5.0 MEASUREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE.
  • 5.1 History.
  • 5.2 Purpose of Noise Measurements.
  • 5.3 Measuring Existing and Ambient Noise.
    • 5.3.1 Establishing Background Levels.
    • 5.3.2 Selecting Measurement Sites and Periods.
    • 5.3.3 Determining Events/Activities to Include/Exclude.
    • 5.3.4 Determining the Appropriate Noise Descriptor
    • 5.3.5 Consideration of Meteorological Factors.
  • 5.4 Measurement of Construction Operations.
    • 5.4.1 Establishing Measurement Locations and Periods.
    • 5.4.2 Determining Events/Activities to Measure.
      • 5.4.2.1 Measuring Entire Project Construction Noise.
      • 5.4.2.2 Measuring an Entire Operation.
      • 5.4.2.3 Measuring Partial Operations.
      • 5.4.2.4 Measuring Indirect Noise Effects.
  • 5.5 Measurement of Equipment Noise.
  • 5.6 Type of Noise Measurement Equipment and Systems.
  • 5.7 Other Factors to Consider
• 6.0 PREDICTION OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE.
  • 6.1 Historical Approaches to Predicting Construction Noise.
  • 6.2 Relevant Modeling Issues.
  • 6.3 Types of Analysis Procedures.
    • 6.3.1 Historical Data Related to Similar Conditions.
    • 6.3.2 Manual Calculations Using Historical Data.
    • 6.3.3 Manual Calculations Using Measured Data.
    • 6.3.4 The FHWA Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM)
    • 6.3.5 The FHWA Highway Construction Noise Model (HICNOM)
    • 6.3.6 Other Models and Considerations.
  • 6.4 Construction Noise Prediction Methodology.
  • 6.5 Qualifications of the Persons Performing Noise Evaluations.
  • 6.6 Factors Affecting Construction Noise Impact Evaluation.
• 7.0 MITIGATION OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE.
  • 7.1 Introduction.
  • 7.2 Design Options.
    • 7.2.1 Design Phases.
    • 7.2.2 Sequence of Operation.
  • 7.3 Contract Specifications and Special Provisions.
    • 7.3.1 Construction Noise Criteria Limits.
    • 7.3.2 Time Periods and Duration.
    • 7.3.3 Specified Equipment
    • 7.3.4 Noise Related Incentives/Disincentives.
    • 7.3.5 Training Programs for Contractors.
  • 7.4 Mitigation at the Source.
    • 7.4.1 Equipment - All Types.
    • 7.4.2 Stationary Equipment
    • 7.4.3 Mobile Equipment
  • 7.5 Mitigation along the Path.
    • 7.5.1 Existing Features.
    • 7.5.2 Temporary Abatement.
    • 7.5.3 Early Construction of Permanent Noise Barriers.
  • 7.6 Mitigation at the Receiver.
    • 7.6.1 Building Envelope Improvements.
    • 7.6.2 Noise Masking.
    • 7.6.3 Relocation of Residents.
  • 7.7 Selection of Mitigation Measures.
    • 7.7.1 Identification of Feasible and Reasonable Measures.
    • 7.7.2 Selection of Mitigation Strategies.
  • 7.8 Monitoring Noise Levels During Construction.
  • 7.9 Examples of Construction Noise Regulations.
• 8.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PROJECT COORDINATION.
  • 8.1 Public Involvement
    • 8.1.1 Goals and Objectives.
      • 8.1.1.1 Early Phases.
      • 8.1.1.2 Preliminary Engineering / Environmental Analysis Phase.
      • 8.1.1.3 Final Design Phase.
      • 8.1.1.4 Construction Phase.
    • 8.1.2 Stakeholders.
    • 8.1.3 Outreach Techniques.
    • 8.1.4 Evaluating Comments and Response Process.
    • 8.1.5 Effects on Project Budget and Schedule.
    • 8.1.6 Other Factors.
      • 8.1.6.1 Types and Locations of Public Outreach Venues.
      • 8.1.6.2 Content and Detail of Presented Information.
  • 8.2 Project Coordination.
• 9.0 CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NOISE LEVELS AND RANGES.
  • 9.1 Equipment Type Inventory and Related Emission Levels.
  • 9.1.1 Stationary Equipment
  • 9.1.2 Mobile Equipment
  • 9.2 Sources of Information.
  • 9.3 Specifics of Construction Equipment and Operation Noise Inventories.
  • 9.4 Summaries of Referenced Inventories.
  • 9.4.1 RCNM Inventory.
  • 9.4.2 FHWA Special Report Inventories.
  • 9.4.3 FTA Noise and Vibration Assessment Procedure.
  • 9.5 Links to Equipment Manufacturers.
• 10.0 CONSTRUCTION NOISE CONTACTS, POLICIES, AND REFERENCE MATERIAL.
  • 10.1 Introduction.
  • 10.2 Database.
• REFERENCES.
• APPENDIX A: FHWA ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION NOISE MODEL USER'S GUIDE. A-1
• APPENDIX B: COMPARISON OF RCNM MODEL AND 1977 FHWA SPECIAL REPORT MANUAL CALCULATION METHOD. B-1
• APPENDIX C: PHOTO DATABASE. C-1