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 $ 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: 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, , LETTER, ETC.. STEP WEBSITE:

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

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.

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 : 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 – FHWA Highway Construction Noise Handbook

25 Recently Posted Reports 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