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Background
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| The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is considering improving a section of Interstate 89 in the Burlington area of Chittenden County. Resource Systems Group was retained to study potential noise impacts for a number of scenarios. The study area included the I-89 corridor from Exit 12 to Exit 15, as well as all arterials between those exits and a number of adjacent secondary roads. The study was performed in accordance with the United States Code of Federal Regulations Part 772 (23 CFR 772), the VTrans "Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise" and the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Highway Traffic Noise Analysis and Abatement Policy and Guidance." |
Project Scope
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Conducted sound level monitoring throughout the study area to document existing sound levels.
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Developed a traffic noise prediction model of study area roadways, using the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM).
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Validated the TNM modeling approach by comparing model predicted results with sound level monitoring results.
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Assessed model results, according to federal guidelines, to determine the presence or absence of noise impacts.
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Conducted a barrier analysis to determine feasibility of barriers for reducing roadway noise levels at locations where potential noise impacts were identified. |
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Project Results
Modeling results indicated that while Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) levels will be exceeded at some locations, no substantial increases above existing sound levels will occur. Modeling results also indicated that barriers would not be a cost-effective means of reducing sound levels in locations where the NAC was exceeded. The traffic noise study was incorporated within the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.
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