Text from 'Effective Noise Control During Nighttime Construction' PowerPoint Presentation

Slide 1

Making Work Zones Work Better

Effective Noise Control During Nighttime Construction

Slide 2

Cliff Schexnayder, Ph.D., PE

Eminent Scholar

Arizona State University and

James Ernzen, Ph.D., PE

Associate Professor

Arizona State University

Slide 3

Domenick Biller, New Jersey DOT

J. Conrad, Washington DOT

Steve DeWitt, North Carolina DOT

William Dowd, FHWA

Arthur Gruhn, Connecticut DOT

Fred Hejl, TRB

Crawford Jencks, TRB

J. Smythe, Iowa DOT

Erich Thalheimer, Central Artery/Tunnel Proj.

Ron Williams, Arizona DOT

Slide 4

Construction Nuisances

The goal is to minimize construction's impact on abutting residents and businesses, while moving forward with the work on schedule and within budget.

Slide 5

Construction Noise Generators
Noise Generator	% identifying as problem *
Back up alarms	41
Slamming Tailgates	27
Hoe Rams	24
Milling Grinding Machines	16
Earthmoving Equip	14

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Problem Activities
Activity Type	% identifying as problem *
Pavement Breaking	27
Paving/Resurfacing	25
Pile Driving	24
Bridge Deck Removal	24
Rehab	20

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Noise Transfer Situation

Diagram: The Noise Transfer Situation shows the relation between sources, such as a pile driver, loader and truck, and their paths, groundborne vibration and direct sound (which includes a reverberant field) to the receiver. The relation is detailed below.

The Pile Driver creates a groundborne vibration path to the receiver.

The loader and truck create a direct sound (reverberant field) path to the receiver.

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Source Controls

It is a cardinal rule that, where possible, noise control should occur at the source.

Require modern equipment
Modern equipment has better engine insulation and mufflers.

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Source Controls

Equipment Restrictions

Require the use of

Manually adjustable or
Ambient-sensitive backup alarms

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Position of Backup Alarms

Photo: The position of backup alarms is circled on the machine.

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Source Controls

Equipment Restrictions

By specification direct the use of only solar powered traffic control devices.

Photo: A solar powered traffic control device

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Source Controls

Operate at minimum power

A frequency reduction will assist in reducing perceived noise.

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Source Controls

Use quieter alternate equipment

Use electric or hydraulic powered equipment.

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Path Controls

The second line of attack is controlling noise radiation along its transmission path.

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Path Controls

Enclose especially noisy activities or stationary equipment

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Path Controls

Grout plant enclosures for audio, visual and dust control.

Photo: A plant enclosure

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Path Controls

Note advertising space sold on the enclosure.

Photo: A plant enclosure with available advertising space

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Path Controls

Erect noise barriers or curtains.

Noise barriers are cost-effective when they provide perceptible noise reduction benefits to a relatively large number of receptors.

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Path Controls

Erect noise barriers or curtains.

A barrier must physically fit in the space available and completely break the line-of-sight between the noise source and the receptors.

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Acoustic Shadow Zone

Diagram: Shows the path of the source sound as it travels over the barrier. The three areas highlighted in this diagram are the high frequency cut-off, the low frequency cut-off and the acoustic shadow (where the noise is blocked by the barrier).

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Path Controls

May be very temporary systems mounted on jersey bases for easy relocation.

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Path Controls

More permanent walls designed to last several years on long duration projects.

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Path Controls

Any gaps should be completely sealed.

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Path Controls

Another option for temporary noise barriers are acoustical curtains.

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Barrier Cost
Barrier Type	Cost per sf.
Temporary walls	$10-$15
Curtains	$8-$9
Permanent Wall U.S. Gypsum, Ultrascreen	$12-$14

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Receptor Controls

When all other approaches to noise control fail a program of control at the receiver should be undertaken.

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Receptor Controls

Window Treatment Program

A receptor located very close to the noise generating activity.

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Receptor Controls

Window Treatment Program

Criteria:

Resident with health condition
Hardship situation (Infant, house-bound person)

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Receptor Controls

Window Treatment Program

Measures:

Interior glazed storm sash

Replace window with double paned glass
Sliding glass storm door

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Receptor Controls

Window Treatment Program

Cost guidelines on CA/T project:

$800 per interior storm sash
$2,500 per window replacement
$5,000 total per resident

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Receptor Controls

Temporary relocation

Cost guidelines on CA/T project:

In very special cases temporary relocation may be necessary.

California - earthquake repair
One case I-15 project (medical)
Four apartments CA/T project

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Community Relations

Early communication with the public is vital

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Community Relations

Establishment of good rapport with the community can provide high benefits at low cost.

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Community Relations

Inform the public of any potential construction noise impacts and measures that will be employed to reduce the impacts.

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Community Relations Information

Identify the work activity and location.
Identify the work hours and the duration of the activity.

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Community Relations Information

Explain what neighbors can expect, sounds, lights and equipment. A statement of concern about the nuisances and that every effort is being made to reduce impacts is important.

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Community Relations

"Whenever possible, crews will point lights away from homes and will also try to move heavy equipment so that back-up alarms are angled away from homes."

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Community Relations Information

Where to get more information
Noise complaint hotline number

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Keeping up with Construction

The I-15 Reconstruction project will reduce congestion and provide residents and businesses with a state-of-the art freeway.

To learn more about this project, call our toll-free information line at 1-888-INFO-I-15 (1-888-463-6415). You can also look for traffic reports in the local media or access our Web site at www.I-15.com. One way that you can work through this project is to try reducing the total number of daily car trips your family makes.

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Community Relations Information

Noise complaint hotline number

Questions?

Wasatch Constructors-594-6400
UDOT 1-15 Team-594-6145
Construction Noise-322-2378

Slide 41

Community Relations

I-15 Hotline Calls

Chart: Most calls were received in the late summer/early fall. Data contained in table below.

Month/Year	Number of Phone Calls
May 97	60
June 97	10
July 97	32
Aug 97	44
Sept 97	33
October 97	31
November 97	99
December 97	75
January 98	11
February 98	10
March 98	91
April 98	17
May 98	10

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Community Relations

Establish and publicize a responsive complaint mechanism for the duration of the project.

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Scan of a Wasatch Constructors Environmental Hotline ad reads:

Wasatch Constructors Environmental Hotline 363-1579
The Salt Lake Valley will be even better when I-15 Reconstruction is complete. Until then, Wasatch Constructors is doing its part to keep the valley a great place to live. We are committed to reducing the noise, vibration and dust from the I-15 Reconstruction project.

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Noise Mitigation Cost

CA/T Noise Program Estimate
Cost Category	Cost
Direct Expenses¹	$5,326,360
Indirect Expenses²	$102,000
Mitigation Costs³	$4,729,600
Contractor Costs⁴	$5,420,660
Total	$15,578,620

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Noise Mitigation Cost
Cost Category	Cost
Total	$15,578,620

This mitigation effort represents about 0.15% of project cost.

What does project delay cost.

COST