A comparison of the Northwest Corridor (NWC) Project Noise Analysis Completed under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy versus the 2011 FHWA Noise Policy

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1 A comparison of the Northwest Corridor (NWC) Project Noise Analysis Completed under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy versus the 2011 FHWA Noise Policy Presented by Keisha Jackson, Georgia Department of Transportation Arthur Morrone, Parsons Brinckerhoff Gabriella Yanez-Uribe, Parsons Brinckerhoff

2 Overview The Northwest Corridor Project proposes a managed lane system on Interstates I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee Counties, Georgia The update to 23 CFR 772 triggered re-evaluation of the project Noise Technical Report (Parsons Brinckerhoff, 2010) published with the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) The Noise Technical Report (Parsons Brinckerhoff, Oct. 2011) completed with the 2005 GDOT traffic noise policy, was revised for conformance with GDOT s Highway Noise Abatement Policy for Federal-Aid Projects, effective on July 13, 2011 as part of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

3 Presentation Purpose Comparison of the noise analysis conducted for the Northwest Corridor (I- 75/I-575) Project under the 2005 GDOT noise policy and the GDOT/FHWA noise policy effective as of July 13, 2011 Same scope of work was performed under the two different policies

4 I-575 Study Area I-75 Sixes Road I-75 corridor from Akers Mill Road and extends to the northwest to Hickory Grove Road - approximately 16.8 miles Hickory Grove Road I-75/I-575 I-75 Divided into 5 segments for TNM modeling Akers Mill Road I-575 corridor branches from I-75 and extends to the northeast to Sixes Road approximately 11.3 miles I-575 Divided into 4 segments for TNM modeling

5 Comparison of the NWC Project Noise analysis under the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy NWC Project Noise Study 2011 GDOT Noise Policy 2005 GDOT Noise Policy 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC): Exterior noise impact Analysis completed for Categories A, B, and C ( previous NAC designations). Traffic Noise Impact Criteria: For a Type I project, an increase in noise level of 10 db(a) in the design year over the existing noise level (57 dba) or Design year build noise levels that approach or exceed the Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) with a approach level of defined as 1 db(a) less than the applicable NAC value. TNM Model Validation: Was not written as a required task in the policy. Activity Category B - Picnic areas, recreation areas, playgrounds, active sports areas, parks, residences, motels, hotels, schools, churches, libraries, and hospitals. Did not provide additional detail information for this category. Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC): Exterior Noise Analysis to be completed for Categories A, B, C and E. Interior Noise for Category D. Traffic Noise Impact Criteria: For a Type I project, an increase in noise level of 15 db(a) in the design year over the existing noise level or Design year build noise levels that approach or exceed the Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) with a approach level of defined as 1 db(a) less than the applicable NAC value. Model Validation: If a validation sample exceeds the +/- 3 db(a) goal, an explanation must be reported in the case of each receptor that does not attain this goal. If a majority of validation samples do not attain the validation goal, new noise measurement samples must be recorded to determine if outside factors influenced the initial findings. New Activity Category B Considers exterior activities for single-family and multi-family residences. Each floor of a multi-family dwelling can be assigned as a single TNM modeling receiver. Noise report must disclose the number of residential units represented by the TNM receiver. Need to identify and count the number of balconies potentially exposed to the build alternative traffic noise. Need to identify exterior areas of frequent human use. Need to identify the pool (s) capacity. Need to identify and quantify the number of people using playgrounds, grilling area, and shared outdoor common frequent use areas. For the mitigation only the balconies or exterior areas of frequent human use should be included which are potentially exposed to the project build alternative traffic movements or associated roadways. When considering a mixed-use developments, each business (NAC E) is considered a single receptor; and each residential unit (NAC B) above the businesses is considered a single receptor. Change in Magnitude of Work to Comply with the 2011 Policy Increase labor effort associated with field work and impact assessment modeling required identifying and categorizing all Category B, C and E exterior areas and Category D interior space uses. Minor change in work requirements Will require a complete validation effort to determine if the +/- 3 db(a) goal is exceed. In addition an explanation must be reported in the case of each receptor that does not achieve this goal. May result in the need to collect new noise measurement samples if outside factors (nontraffic related) influenced the noise validation accuracy. Significant increase in the labor effort associated with land use survey field work and TNM based impact assessment modeling required for Category B land use activities. Previous policy did not require these tasks identified in the previous GDOT policy.

6 Comparison of the NWC Project Noise analysis under the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy (continued) NWC Project Noise Study 2011 GDOT Noise Policy 2005 GDOT Noise Policy 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Change in Magnitude of Work to Comply with the 2011 Policy Activity Category C Developed lands, properties, or activities not included in Categories A or B above. Did not require additional detail information such as determining capacities of active recreation areas. New Activity Category C- Includes land uses such as hospitals, libraries, public meeting rooms, active recreation areas, places of worship, schools, etc. For hospital patient rooms or classrooms that lack air conditioning and must open windows to cool will be considered one receptor per room. Need to count the number of rooms / classrooms. Need to identify exterior areas of frequent human use. For cemeteries, parks and other Category C activities the number of receptors will be defined based on an equivalent number of residences of a lot size typical of the surrounding community. Significant increase in the labor effort associated with land use survey field work and TNM based impact assessment modeling required for Category C land use activities. Previous policy did not require these tasks identified in the previous GDOT policy. Activity Category D Under the previous noise policy the NAC D land use activity referred to undeveloped lands and not the types of a uses identified under the new policy. Furthermore generally no detailed noise analysis was previously required for NAC D (undeveloped lands). New Activity Category D: Auditoriums, day care centers, hospitals, libraries, medical facilities, places of worship, public meeting rooms, public or nonprofit institutional structures, radio studios, recording studios, schools, and television studios. Abatement measures will be considered to address interior impacts if exterior abatement measures are found to be either unfeasible or unreasonable. An indoor analysis shall only be done after exhausting all outdoor analysis options. The type of windows and building structure will need to be field verify for this task. Conduct noise interior/exterior measurements if there are sites that still have an impact after the indoor analysis is conducted. Significant increase in the labor effort associated with field work and impact assessment modeling required for Category D land use activities. Moreover, may result in the need to collect additional Interior / Exterior noise measurements to determine if interior noise levels exceed threshold limit of 51 dba. Previous policy did not include these tasks identified in the adjacent column.

7 Comparison of the NWC Project Noise analysis under the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy (continued) NWC Project Noise Study 2011 GDOT Noise Policy 2005 GDOT Noise Policy 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Change in Magnitude of Work to Comply with the 2011 Policy Activity Category E Under the previous noise policy the NAC E land use activity referred to the interior spaces of residences, motels, hotels, public meeting rooms, schools, churches, libraries, hospitals, and auditoriums. Where as the new NAC E land use category refers to exterior areas of hotels, motels offices, restaurants/bars and other developed lands properties, or activities not included in the new NAC A-D or F activity descriptions. Furthermore generally no detailed noise analysis was previously required for NAC E uses. Noise impact assessment was limited to a simple exterior to interior transmission loss calculation based on an assessment of the type of the window-wall attenuation provided by the structure. Activity Category G: Undeveloped Lands without a permit: Under the previous noise policy the NAC G land use activity (undeveloped lands with no permit) did not exist. Land uses described under this category were grouped under the former NAC D land use activity category where no noise modeling was performed. New Activity Category E Considers exterior activities for certain commercial and developed lands (e.g., restaurants, offices, hotels) which are less sensitive to highway noise). For Hotels each room where sleep will occur (e.g. hotel room) with a balcony or ground level patio will be considered one receptor. Need to identify and count the number of balconies with a potential exposure to the proposed build alternative and associated roadway improvements. Each floor of a hotel/motel can be assigned a single TNM receiver. Need to identify the pool (s) capacity or other shared frequent exterior use areas. For multiple commercial properties, such as restaurants/bars with outdoor serving area, each business having an exterior area of frequent human use will be considered a separate receptor for abatement consideration. New Activity Category G - Considers potential noise impacts on undeveloped land with no permits. TNM modeling would be completed for vacant parcels at 50 feet from the edge of pavement or the right of way line (analyst must disclose which was used), at 100 feet, and at every additional 100 feet (not to exceed 800 feet) until a zone is established that would identify the impact zone for all land use types. If vacant land is not permitted by the date of public knowledge, the noise level information will be provided to appropriate local government office for planning purposes in accordance with (a). All the undeveloped lands within the 800 zone should be considered. Not only the ones facing the road. Noise contours or summary tables with estimated noise levels at each distance will need to be developed for the undeveloped lands with no permit within the 800 zone. Significant increase in the labor effort associated with field work and impact assessment modeling required for Category E land use activities. Previous policy did not include all these tasks identified in the adjacent column. Significant increase in the labor effort associated with field work, Micro-station work and TNM modeling required for Category G land use activities without permits. Previous policy did not include this task as part of the noise impact assessment requirements.

8 Comparison of the NWC Project Noise analysis under the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy (continued) NWC Project Noise Study 2011 GDOT Noise Policy 2005 GDOT Noise Policy 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Activity Category G: Undeveloped Land with permit. Under the previous noise policy the NAC G land use activity (undeveloped lands with permit) did not exist. Land uses described under this category were grouped under the former NAC D land use activity category where no noise modeling was performed unless routine field work identified a vacant parcel under construction. Mitigation Feasibility: Determination of whether a noise barrier is feasible deals primarily with engineering considerations. Can a barrier be constructed given the topography of the location? Can a substantial traffic noise reduction be achieved while providing access to properties, proper drainage, safety, and maintenance requirements? Lastly, can a noise barrier be feasible due to other potential noise sources in the project area? At a minimum, to be considered feasible, analysis must demonstrate that an acoustically effective noise barrier can achieve a substantial noise reduction of 5 decibels or greater at all impacted sites. New Activity Category G - Considers potential noise impacts on undeveloped land with permits. All areas in undeveloped lands which have been issued permits will need to be identified. Detailed noise impact and abatement modeling would be required if a site development plan is available for any undeveloped land. Permitted, undeveloped land will be assigned an activity category consistent with the permitted future land use and evaluated under that activity category. The date of public knowledge is the date the NEPA document is approved. GDOT will not provide traffic noise abatement for developments permitted and constructed after the NEPA document is approved. The undeveloped lands with permit to be included in the outreach process (Property Owners and Residents) If no site plan is available noise levels will be determined at fixed distances as described in the policy. Presentation of this information will be in the form of preparing noise contour plan sheets or showing the predicted noise levels at discrete receptor points. Mitigation Feasibility: Noise reduction: a calculated noise reduction of at least 5 db(a) must be achievable for a minimum of one impacted receptor. If interior noise impacts are identified for Activity Category D and exterior abatement measures are determined not feasible and reasonable, interior abatement measures will be considered. Each noise receptor which receives a 5 db(a) reduction (whether classified as impacted or not) is considered to be a benefited receptor. Constructability: a noise abatement measure must be able to be constructed using reliable and common engineering practices. Safety and Maintainability The maximum barrier height that can feasibly be maintained is 30 feet. Access: an abatement measure must allow sufficient access to adjacent properties. If all of the above requirements are satisfied, noise abatement is considered feasible Change in Magnitude of Work to Comply with the 2011 Policy Significant increase in the labor effort associated with field work, Micro Station work and TNM impact assessment and abatement modeling required for Category G land use activities with permit. Previous policy did not include this task as part of the impact assessment requirements Increase in the level of the abatement work.

9 Comparison of the NWC Project Noise analysis under the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy (continued) NWC Project Noise Study 2011 GDOT Noise Policy 2005 GDOT Noise Policy 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Change in Magnitude of Work to Comply with the 2011 Policy Mitigation Reasonableness: To be reasonable, each barrier must be cost-effective under the State Noise Abatement Policy. A noise barrier is considered cost-effective if the estimated barrier cost is less than or equal to the reasonable cost. For a screen wall type barrier, the estimated cost of the barrier is calculated by multiplying the cost per square foot ($15.00) by the total square footage of the noise barrier. The reasonable cost is calculated by adding $50,000 for each impacted dwelling receiving a minimum 5 dba reduction and $25,000 for each benefited dwelling receiving a minimum 5 dba reduction. An impacted dwelling is defined as any site that approaches or exceeds FHWA s NAC and receives a 5 dba or greater reduction resulting from noise barrier construction. A benefited dwelling is defined as any site that receives a 5 dba or greater reduction resulting from noise barrier construction but does not approach or exceed FHWA s NAC. Mitigation Reasonableness: Noise Reduction: at least one benefited receptor must receive a minimum noise level reduction of 7 db(a) i.e., the noise reduction design goal. Cost Effectiveness: Using a $20 per square foot cost for the required noise barrier, the total cost must not exceed a $55,000 average allowance per benefited receptor. Property Owners and Residents: The decision to provide abatement will be made in collaboration with the property owner and tenants of a benefited receptor. The outreach strategy will be customized for maximum effectiveness on each project. The minimum outreach method shall be a certified letter survey provided to both property owners and tenants whose facility or home is identified as a benefited receptor. The final noise abatement measures cannot be determined until the design plans have sufficiently progressed to a point where the barrier analysis can be conducted; after which, the outreach above can be completed. If all three of the above requirements are satisfied, noise abatement is considered reasonable. Significant increase in the labor effort associated with the mitigation analysis for the Reasonableness and the Property owner and Tenants of a benefited receptor outreach strategy process. Previous policy did not include all the tasks identified in the adjacent column. Analysis of Traffic Noise Impacts: N/A The project corridor should be field validated to ensure all structures are shown on the aerial or represented. Increased Effort.

10 Comparison of the NWC Project Activities and Level of Effort Required Between the 2005 and the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Polices

11 Scope of Work Summary of Required Activities Comparing the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Policy Scope of Work NWC Project (SDEIS) Noise Analysis Under the 2005 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy TNM MODELING All NAC Land Use Categories except Apartment Buildings and Hotels Apartment Buildings and Hotels N/A Undeveloped Lands with Permit N/A Undeveloped Lands no Permit N/A LAND USE Inventory of building heights (hotels/apartments) N/A Identification of balconies (hotels/apartments) N/A Identification of outdoor areas of frequent human use (usage factors/capacity) Inventory of window types and building structure N/A Extending the project DTM model beyond the general limits previously provided for the new TNM receptor points identified within the new 800 project limits N/A UNDEVELOPED LANDS Identification of undeveloped land parcels (within 800 feet) with building N/A permits and without permits Completion of noise contours for undeveloped lands without a permit N/A Integration of permitted developments for noise impact and abatement N/A INTERIOR NOISE To evaluate if exterior abatement measures are found to be either N/A unfeasible or unreasonable NWC Project (FEIS) Noise Analysis Under the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy ABATEMENT Outreach strategy process for property owner and tenants of a benefited receptor N/A

12 Comparison of the NWC Project TNM Noise Analysis Required under the 2005 GDOT Policy versus the 2011 GDOT Traffic Noise Policy

13 Comparison of the NWC Project Noise analysis EISTING Conditions TNM FILES I-75 Corridor (SEG 4) 135 Receivers Modeled I-75 Corridor (SEG 4) 349 Receivers Modeled NWC Project Noise Study, 2005 GDOT Noise Policy NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy

14 NWC Project Noise Analysis for Multi-Family Buildings and Hotels * Not required under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy

15 Noise Analysis Required for Multi-Family Buildings and Hotels I-75 Corridor NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or hotels, were modeled using multiple vertical receiver points along the building façade Noise impacts were reported only if the exterior areas had balconies or patios or other exterior areas of frequent human use

16 Summary Table of 3-D Analysis for Multi-Family Buildings along I-75 Corridor * Not required under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy

17 NWC Project Noise Analysis For Undeveloped Lands (With & Without Permit) * Not required under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy

18 Noise Analysis for Undeveloped Lands with No Permit I-575 Corridor NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy A list of properties and associated tax parcel identification numbers was created for the project study area I-575 Corridor (SEG 3) 162 Receivers Modeled A noise-receptor grid was developed, beginning at 50 feet from the edge of pavement, then at 100-foot intervals up to a maximum perpendicular distance of 800 feet away or parcel end Noise contour lines under the Preferred Alternative were interpolated and drawn from the noise levels at these grid points

19 Noise Analysis for Undeveloped Lands with No Permit I-575 Corridor NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy For undeveloped lands without a building permit, noise contours were developed The noise contours were determined in 5dBA increments, starting at 71 dba and ending with 56 dba The noise contours represent an estimate of future noise levels on undeveloped lands for Activity Categories A, B, C, and E land uses

20 Summary Table of the I-575 Corridor Noise Analysis for Undeveloped Lands With No Permit * Not required under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy

21 Noise Analysis for Undeveloped Lands with Permit I-75 Corridor NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Research to identify undeveloped parcels for which building permits have been issued, but construction has yet to begin I-75 I-575 For undeveloped lands with a building permit, the noise study is completed consistent with the land use activity permitted for the property The Existing, No Build and Build noise levels are estimated at the undeveloped parcel with permit Permit Approval for Single-Family Residential Properties

22 Summary Table of the I-75 Corridor Noise Analysis for Undeveloped Lands With Permit * Not required under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy

23 NWC Project Noise Analysis for Estimating Interior Building Noise * Not required under the 2005 GDOT Noise Policy

24 Summary Table of Noise Analysis Required to Determine Interior Building Noise Levels (NAC D Category Uses) NWC Project Noise Study, 2011 GDOT Noise Policy Summary of Activity Category D Impact Assessment along the I-75 Corridor Abatement measures were considered to address interior impacts if exterior abatement measures were found to be either unfeasible or unreasonable Noise Recept or ID Propos ed Sound Wall Num ber of Dwell ing Units B6 None 20 Receptor Location & Land Use Description North of (Ice Skating Ring) Window Type Double Pane Glass Exterior Noise Level with Abatement (if Applicable) 2035 Preferred Alternative With Third Lane L eq (1hr) dba Without Third Lane L eq (1hr) dba Interior Noise Level with Abatement (if Applicable) 2035 Preferred Alternative With Third Lane L eq (1hr) dba Without Third Lane L eq (1hr) dba NAC Activity Category D Impact Determination (Yes/No) 2035 Preferred Alternative With Third Lane L eq (1hr) dba No Impact Without Third Lane L eq (1hr) dba No Impact An indoor analysis was conducted only after exhausting all outdoor analysis options M14 None 1 South of ( ) R348 None 1 Total Number of Dwellings Considered 22 North of (Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre) Double Pane Glass Fully Sealed Double Pane Glass Total Number of Dwellings with NAC Activity Category D Impacts No Impact No Impact No Impact No Impact 0 0

25 Conclusions TNM Modeling Effort Include detail modeling on Multifamily Buildings, Hotels and Undeveloped Lands Land Use data Undeveloped Lands Interior Noise Abatement Inventory of buildings, window types, building structure, balconies, extension of the DTM to the new 800 project limits I-575 Corridor Identification of undeveloped parcels, completion of noise contours, integration of permitted developments for noise impact and abatement If exterior abatement measures are found to be either unfeasible or unreasonable Detail outreach strategy process for property owners and tenants of a benefited receptor

26 Project s Website