Guelph Curling Club Development Traffic Noise Impact Study Development Location Prepared For: Guelph Curling Club Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. 43 Forest Road Cambridge ON N1S 3B4 pgrubb@ptsl.com 1.519.896.3163 Fax: 1.866.722.5117
PROJECT SUMMARY PROJECT NAME:... GUELPH CURLING CLUB DEVELOPMENT TRAFFIC NOISE STUDY CLIENT:... GUELPH CURLING CLUB C/O THE LANDPLAN COLLABORATIVE LIMITED OWEN R. SCOTT 319 WOOLWICH STREET GUELPH, ON N1H 3W4 CLIENT PROJECT MANAGER:... OWEN R. SCOTT. CONSULTANT:... PARADIGM TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS LIMITED 43 FOREST ROAD CAMBRIDGE, ON N1S 3B4 PH: 519-896-3163 FAX: 1-866-722-5117 CONSULTANT PROJECT MANAGER... PHIL GRUBB, P.ENG. REPORT DATE:... SEPTEMBER 2013 PROJECT NUMBER:... 130890
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CONTENT Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited (Paradigm) was retained by Guelph Curling Club through The Landplan Collaborative Limited to conduct a Traffic Noise Study for development of the lands owned by the club in order to rezone the lands to permit development of existing vacant land for commercial and residential use. The lands are located on Woolwich Street (Hwy 6) approximately 350 metres north of Woodlawn Road West in the north part of the City of Guelph, Ontario. The purpose and scope of this study is to address the traffic noise impacts and mitigation measures in order to meet the Guidelines of the Ministry of Environment and satisfy the requirements of the City of Guelph. CONCLUSIONS The following is concluded based on the above: 1. The rear yards of all residential units are west of the 60 dba Day contour indicating that noise levels in the rear yard recreation area will be less than 60 dba or within 5 dba of the MOE guideline of 55 dba. Therefore, all units east of the 55 dba guideline will require a Type A warning clause (i.e. the most easterly building). 2. The units east of the 50 dba contour (all of the units in the easterly building except for the most westerly residential unit) are located between the 50 dba and the 60 dba Night contour indicating that the indoor noise levels are expected to be under 10 dba of the MOE guideline. Therefore, these units will require provision for air conditioning and a Type C warning clause. 3. The southeast corner of the most easterly unit are expected to have daytime noise levels of 61 dba which falls within the 55 dba to 65 dba range of the MOE guideline for living rooms indicating that provision for air conditioning and a Type C warning clause will be required. RECOMMENDATIONS That the following warning clauses be included on the purchase or rental agreements for all units in the easterly building except for the most westerly unit which will require a Type A warning clause only. The warning clauses are as follows: 1. TYPE A:"Purchasers/tenants are advised that sound levels due to increasing road traffic may occasionally interfere with some activities of the dwelling occupants as the sound levels exceed the Municipality's and the Ministry of the Environment's noise criteria." 2. TYPE C: "Purchasers/tenants are advised that this dwelling unit has been fitted with a forced air heating system and the ducting was sized to accommodate central air conditioning. Installation of central air conditioning by the occupant will allow windows and exterior doors to remain closed, thereby ensuring that the indoor sound levels are within the Municipality's and the Ministry of the Environment's noise criteria. (Note: The location and installation of the outdoor air conditioning device should be done so as to comply with noise criteria of MOE Publication NPC-216, Residential Air Conditioning Devices and thus minimize the noise impacts both on and in the immediate vicinity of the subject property.)" Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page i
CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... I 1.0 INTRODUCTION... 1 1.1 OVERVIEW... 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY... 2 2.1 NOISE PREDICTION MODEL... 2 2.2 TRAFFIC AND ROADWAY CONDITIONS... 2 3.0 NOISE LEVEL FORECASTS AND MITIGATION... 3 3.1 DEVELOPMENT PLAN... 3 3.2 TRAFFIC NOISE GUIDELINES... 3 NOISE LEVEL CRITERION... 3 ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE CONTROL MEASURES... 3 3.3 NOISE LEVEL IMPACTS... 4 MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS... 5 APPENDICES APPENDIX A NOISE LEVEL FORECASTS Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page ii
FIGURES FIGURE 1.1: DEVELOPMENT LOCATION... 1 FIGURE 2.1: HISTORICAL AND FORECAST SADT GROWTH- HWY. 6 NORTH GUELPH CITY LIMITS... 2 FIGURE 3.1: NOISE CONTOURS AND MITIGATION MEASURES... 6 TABLES TABLE 3.1: MOE RESIDENTIAL SOUND LEVEL CRITERION FOR ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE... 3 TABLE 3.2: SUMMARY OF MOE OUTDOOR TRAFFIC NOISE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS... 4 Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page iii
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited (Paradigm) was retained by Guelph Curling Club through The Landplan Collaborative Limited to conduct a Traffic Noise Study for development of the lands owned by the club in order to rezone the lands to permit development of existing vacant land for commercial and residential use. The lands are located on Woolwich Street (Hwy 6) approximately 350 metres north of Woodlawn Road West in the north part of the City of Guelph, Ontario. The location is shown in Figure 1.1. The site, when fully built out, is expected to include 31 townhouse units and 3907 m 2 of various commercial uses. Accordingly, this report addresses traffic noise from Woolwich Street (Hwy. 6) where the proposed residential development will be affected by noise from this roadway. 1.2 Study. The purpose and scope of this study is to address the traffic noise impacts and mitigation measures in order to meet the Guidelines of the Ministry of Environment and satisfy the requirements of the City of Guelph. Figure 1.1: Development Location North Development Location Study Area Existing Smart Centre Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 1
2.0 METHODOLOGY The following describes the assumptions used to address the noise attenuation requirements for the development. The latest historical traffic volumes and characteristics were obtained from a 2009 traffic count at the intersection of Woolwich Street and Woodlawn Road and the Provincial Highway Traffic Volumes (PHTV) 1988-2010 report The noise projections were based on traffic volumes and growth rates derived from the PHTV. 2.1 Noise Prediction Model STAMSON 5 was used to calculate the noise levels adjacent to and within the development. STAMSON is the traffic noise prediction model developed and utilized by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE). It calculates the 24-hour and day/night Leq noise levels (i.e. equivalent noise level) based on inputs for traffic volume, type and speed, noise source-receiver distance, topography and elevation change between source and receiver, road surface type and gradient, and noise source and receiver heights and locations. 2.2 Traffic and Roadway Conditions The principal traffic noise source in proximity to the development is Woolwich Street (Hwy. 6). This roadway is a four lane road in the study area with a posted speed of 70 km per hour. The grade of the road is 1.5% based on the mapping available. The 2009 City of Guelph intersection count at Woolwich Street and Woodlawn Road indicated that trucks represent about 5% of the total traffic. A four hour sample classification count between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM indicates that about 46% of the total truck traffic consists of Medium Trucks while 54% consists of Heavy Trucks. The PHTV report indicates that traffic volumes have grown by an average of 320 vehicles per day per year on Hwy. 6 at the Guelph north City limits as shown in the chart below. Also shown are the assumed future 10 year traffic characteristics for the purpose of traffic noise forecasts based on the above and 13 years of growth between 2010 and 2023. Figure 2.1: Historical and Forecast SADT Growth- Hwy. 6 North Guelph City Limits 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 Historical Growth Average Annual Growth (320/Year) Actual SADT Future Traffic Assumptions Woolwich Traffic Characteristics Street Year 2010 SADT 19,100 Annual Average Growth 320 2023 SADT 23,260 Percent Trucks 5.0% Percent Medium Trucks 2.3% Percent Heavy Trucks 2.7% Future Speed Limit (km/hr) 70 Grade (%) 2% Day/Night Split 90/10 Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 2
3.0 NOISE LEVEL FORECASTS AND MITIGATION 3.1 Development Plan The residential units are located on the north part of the development area with the most easterly unit located about 57m from the centre line of Woolwich Street. At this stage of the development no grading plans were available. 3.2 Traffic Noise Guidelines Noise Level Criterion The Ministry of Environment provides guidelines for traffic noise levels adjacent to residential development. 1 In order to comply with the Ministry s guidelines in residential areas, the predicted noise level is to be assessed in an Outdoor Living Area such as a rear yard or patio and in indoor living areas such as bedrooms and living rooms. Where the noise levels exceed applicable criteria, warning clauses and mitigation measures such as site planning, architectural design, noise barriers, special building components and/or central air conditioning may be necessary. Table 3.1 gives the recommended sound level guidelines and applicable time periods developed by the MOE. The indoor noise levels apply with the windows and doors open. The MOE assumes that the building walls attenuate outdoor noise levels by 10 dba. No noise control measures are therefore required when the sound level estimated in the Outdoor Living Area is 55 dba or less during the daytime and 50 dba or less in the plane of the bedroom window during the nighttime. TABLE 3.1: MOE RESIDENTIAL SOUND LEVEL CRITERION FOR ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE Location Type of Space Time Period Leq dba) Guideline Outdoor Rear Yard or Patio 16hr, 7:00-23:00 55 Indoor Living Dining Area 16hr, 7:00-23:00 45 (55) Indoor Sleeping Quarters 8 hr, 23:00-7:00 40 (50) Note: bracketed numbers refer to equivalent outdoor level in window plane For the purpose of noise impact assessment in an Outdoor Living Area using the MOE guidelines, the sound level calculations are typically performed at a location 3m from the rear of the building façade for outdoor noise levels at 1.5m above the ground and at the building façade for indoor sound levels. Noise control measures for Outdoor Living Areas typically also help to meet guidelines for ground floor living/dining room areas of most low-density residential dwellings. Indoor sound levels tend to be guided by nighttime sound level calculations performed in the plane of a second storey bedroom window typically 4.5m above the ground unless the dwelling is a multi-storey building. Road Traffic Noise Control Measures 1 Noise Assessment Criteria in Land Use Planning, Publication LU131, Ministry of Environment and Energy, October 1995. Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 3
The MOE has developed guidelines for noise mitigation and control as summarized in Table 3.2 below. The wording of the various warning clauses have been developed by MOE for each type indicated below. Note that all noise levels relate to outdoor noise levels at the building façade meaning indoor noise levels will be approximately dba less. TABLE 3.2: SUMMARY OF MOE OUTDOOR TRAFFIC NOISE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS Location Day/Night Leq Control Measures Warning Clause Outdoor Living <55dBA Not required None Area 55-60 dba Not required but desirable Type A Leq (16hr) >60 dba Control measures (barriers) req d Type B Plane of Living 50 55 dba Not required None Room Window 55-65 dba Provision for air conditioning, Building compliant with Type C Leq (16hr) Ontario Building Code >65 dba Central air conditioning, Building components designed to Type D Plane of Bedroom Window Leq (8 hr) 3.3 Noise Level Impacts achieve indoor sound level criteria <50 dba Not required None 50-60 dba Provision for air conditioning, Building compliant with Type C Ontario Building Code >60 Central air conditioning, Building components designed to Type D achieve indoor sound level criteria Based on the above traffic and roadway characteristics, initial computations were performed to determine the location of critical outdoor noise contour lines from the Woolwich Street centerline based on the table above as follows: 1. 60 dba Day- 57m residential rear yard recreation area noise levels west of this line do not require noise barriers but a require noise warning clause when located east of the 55 dba Day noise contour. 2. 60 dba Night- 24m- residential buildings located west of this line do not require special acoustical building materials but require a noise warning clause when located east of the 50 dba Night noise contour. 3..55 dba Day- 113.5m - residential rear yard recreation areas west of this line require no mitigation 4. 50 dba Night- 103m- residential buildings west of this line require no mitigation Figure 3.1 illustrates the various contour lines noted above. Appendix A provides the supporting calculations produced by Stamson. A further calculation was conducted at the southeast corner of the most easterly residential unit which is east of the 60 dba day contour indicating that projected noise levels were 61 dba for Daytime Noise at 1.5m observer height and 55 dba for the 4.5m window height. The following is concluded based on the above: 1. The rear yards of all residential units are west of the 60 dba Day contour indicating that noise levels in the rear yard recreation area will be less than 60 dba or within 5 dba of the MOE guideline of 55 dba. Therefore, all units east of the 55 dba guideline will require a Type A warning clause (i.e. the most easterly building) as per Table 3.2. Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 4
2. The units east of the 50 dba contour (all of the units in the easterly building except for the most westerly residential unit) are located between the 50 dba and the 60 dba Night contour indicating that the indoor noise levels are expected to be under 10 dba of the MOE guideline. Therefore, these units will require provision for air conditioning and a Type C warning clause as per Table 3.2. 3. The southeast corner of the most easterly unit is expected to have daytime noise levels of 61 dba which falls within the 55 dba to 65 dba range of the MOE guideline for living rooms indicating that provision for air conditioning and a Type C warning clause will be required as per Table 3.2. It is noted that the noise level forecast are conservative given that the effect of buildings on the site have not been considered. In particular the residential units themselves serve as noise barriers for the rear yard recreation area as noise caused by traffic on Woolwich Street to the south is shielded. All common amenity areas are west of the 60 dba Day contour and are partially shielded by the buildings. Mitigation Requirements Accordingly, all units within the most easterly building will require a Type A warning clause and all units within the most easterly building except the most westerly unit will also require a Type C warning clause on agreements of purchase or rental. The warning clauses are as follows: 3. TYPE A:"Purchasers/tenants are advised that sound levels due to increasing road traffic may occasionally interfere with some activities of the dwelling occupants as the sound levels exceed the Municipality's and the Ministry of the Environment's noise criteria." 4. TYPE C: "Purchasers/tenants are advised that this dwelling unit has been fitted with a forced air heating system and the ducting was sized to accommodate central air conditioning. Installation of central air conditioning by the occupant will allow windows and exterior doors to remain closed, thereby ensuring that the indoor sound levels are within the Municipality's and the Ministry of the Environment's noise criteria. (Note: The location and installation of the outdoor air conditioning device should be done so as to comply with noise criteria of MOE Publication NPC-216, Residential Air Conditioning Devices and thus minimize the noise impacts both on and in the immediate vicinity of the subject property.)" Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 5
1. Figure 3.1: Noise Contours and Mitigation Measures Figure 3.1 Free Field Noise Contours and Mitigation Measures Guelph Curling Club NIS Paradigm www.ptsl.com Units Requiring Noise Warning Clause Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 6
Appendix A Noise Level Forecasts Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 7
STAMSON 5.0 NORMAL REPORT Date: 16-09-2013 15:32:51 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY / NOISE ASSESSMENT Filename: Time Period: Day/Night 16/8 hours Description: 60 dba Day and 60 dba Night Contours Road data, segment # 1: (day/night) ------------------------------------ Car traffic volume : 19866/2207 veh/timeperiod * Medium truck volume : 502/56 veh/timeperiod * Heavy truck volume : 565/63 veh/timeperiod * Posted speed limit : 70 km/h Road gradient : 2 % Road pavement : 1 (Typical asphalt or concrete) * Refers to calculated road volumes based on the following input: 24 hr Traffic Volume (AADT or SADT): 23260 Percentage of Annual Growth : 0.00 Number of Years of Growth : 10.00 Medium Truck % of Total Volume : 2.40 Heavy Truck % of Total Volume : 2.70 Day (16 hrs) % of Total Volume : 90.00 Data for Segment # 1: (day/night) ---------------------------------- Angle1 Angle2 : -90.00 deg 90.00 deg Wood depth : 0 (No woods.) No of house rows : 0 / 0 Surface : 1 (Absorptive ground surface) Receiver source distance : 57.00 / 24.00 m Receiver height : 1.50 / 4.50 m Topography : 1 (Flat/gentle slope; no barrier) Reference angle : 0.00 Results segment # 1: (day) --------------------------- Source height = 1.28 m ROAD (0.00 + 59.96 + 0.00) = 59.96 dba Angle1 Angle2 Alpha RefLeq P.Adj D.Adj F.Adj W.Adj H.Adj B.Adj SubLeq -90 90 0.66 71.04 0.00-9.62-1.46 0.00 0.00 0.00 59.96 Segment Leq : 59.96 dba Total Leq All Segments: 59.96 dba Results segment # 1: (night) ----------------------------- Source height = 1.28 m ROAD (0.00 + 59.99 + 0.00) = 59.99 dba Angle1 Angle2 Alpha RefLeq P.Adj D.Adj F.Adj W.Adj H.Adj B.Adj SubLeq -90 90 0.58 64.52 0.00-3.22-1.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 59.99 Segment Leq : 59.99 dba Total Leq All Segments: 59.99 dba TOTAL Leq FROM ALL SOURCES (DAY): 59.96 (NIGHT): 59.99 Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 8
STAMSON 5.0 NORMAL REPORT Date: 16-09-2013 15:28:57 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY / NOISE ASSESSMENT Filename: Time Period: Day/Night 16/8 hours Description: 55 dba Day and 50 dba Night Contours oad data, segment # 1: (day/night) ------------------------------------ Car traffic volume : 19866/2207 veh/timeperiod * Medium truck volume : 502/56 veh/timeperiod * Heavy truck volume : 565/63 veh/timeperiod * Posted speed limit : 70 km/h Road gradient : 2 % Road pavement : 1 (Typical asphalt or concrete) * Refers to calculated road volumes based on the following input: 24 hr Traffic Volume (AADT or SADT): 23260 Percentage of Annual Growth : 0.00 Number of Years of Growth : 10.00 Medium Truck % of Total Volume : 2.40 Heavy Truck % of Total Volume : 2.70 Day (16 hrs) % of Total Volume : 90.00 Data for Segment # 1: (day/night) ---------------------------------- Angle1 Angle2 : -90.00 deg 90.00 deg Wood depth : 0 (No woods.) No of house rows : 0 / 0 Surface : 1 (Absorptive ground surface) Receiver source distance : 113.50 / 103.00 m Receiver height : 1.50 / 4.50 m Topography : 1 (Flat/gentle slope; no barrier) Reference angle : 0.00 Results segment # 1: (day) --------------------------- Source height = 1.28 m ROAD (0.00 + 55.00 + 0.00) = 55.00 dba Angle1 Angle2 Alpha RefLeq P.Adj D.Adj F.Adj W.Adj H.Adj B.Adj SubLeq -90 90 0.66 71.04 0.00-14.59-1.46 0.00 0.00 0.00 55.00 Segment Leq : 55.00 dba Total Leq All Segments: 55.00 dba Results segment # 1: (night) ----------------------------- Source height = 1.28 m ROAD (0.00 + 50.01 + 0.00) = 50.01 dba Angle1 Angle2 Alpha RefLeq P.Adj D.Adj F.Adj W.Adj H.Adj B.Adj SubLeq -90 90 0.58 64.52 0.00-13.19-1.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.01 Segment Leq : 50.01 dba Total Leq All Segments: 50.01 dba TOTAL Leq FROM ALL SOURCES (DAY): 55.00 (NIGHT): 50.01 Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 9
STAMSON 5.0 NORMAL REPORT Date: 17-09-2013 22:45:54 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY / NOISE ASSESSMENT Filename: Time Period: Day/Night 16/8 hours Description: Station 1 Figure 3.1- South East Building Corner Road data, segment # 1: (day/night) ------------------------------------ Car traffic volume : 19866/2207 veh/timeperiod * Medium truck volume : 502/56 veh/timeperiod * Heavy truck volume : 565/63 veh/timeperiod * Posted speed limit : 70 km/h Road gradient : 2 % Road pavement : 1 (Typical asphalt or concrete) * Refers to calculated road volumes based on the following input: 24 hr Traffic Volume (AADT or SADT): 23260 Percentage of Annual Growth : 0.00 Number of Years of Growth : 10.00 Medium Truck % of Total Volume : 2.40 Heavy Truck % of Total Volume : 2.70 Day (16 hrs) % of Total Volume : 90.00 Data for Segment # 1: (day/night) ---------------------------------- Angle1 Angle2 : -90.00 deg 90.00 deg Wood depth : 0 (No woods.) No of house rows : 0 / 0 Surface : 1 (Absorptive ground surface) Receiver source distance : 50.90 / 50.90 m Receiver height : 1.50 / 4.50 m Topography : 1 (Flat/gentle slope; no barrier) Reference angle : 0.00 Results segment # 1: (day) --------------------------- Source height = 1.28 m ROAD (0.00 + 60.78 + 0.00) = 60.78 dba Angle1 Angle2 Alpha RefLeq P.Adj D.Adj F.Adj W.Adj H.Adj B.Adj SubLeq -90 90 0.66 71.04 0.00-8.81-1.46 0.00 0.00 0.00 60.78 Segment Leq : 60.78 dba Total Leq All Segments: 60.78 dba Results segment # 1: (night) ----------------------------- Source height = 1.28 m ROAD (0.00 + 54.84 + 0.00) = 54.84 dba Angle1 Angle2 Alpha RefLeq P.Adj D.Adj F.Adj W.Adj H.Adj B.Adj SubLeq -90 90 0.58 64.52 0.00-8.37-1.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 54.84 Segment Leq : 54.84 dba Total Leq All Segments: 54.84 dba TOTAL Leq FROM ALL SOURCES (DAY): 60.78 (NIGHT): 54.84 Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited Page 10
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