# Presentation: 188855

## Making Work Zones Work Better

**Effective Noise Control During Nighttime Construction**

## Cliff Schexnayder, Ph.D., PE
Eminent Scholar
Arizona State University
and
James Ernzen, Ph.D., PE
Associate Professor
Arizona State University

- Eminent Scholar
- Arizona State University
- and
**James Ernzen, Ph.D., PE**
- Associate Professor
- Arizona State University

## 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

**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***

## 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****.**

## CONSTRUCTION NOISE GENERATORS

## PROBLEM ACTIVITES

## NOISE TRANSFER SITUATION

**NOISE TRANSFER SITUATION**

## 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.**

## SOURCE CONTROLS

**Require the use of**
** ****Manually adjustable or**
** ****Ambient-sensitive**
** ****backup alarms.**

**Equipment Restrictions**

## POSITION OF BACKUP ALARMS

## SOURCE CONTROLS

**SOURCE CONTROLS**

**Equipment Restrictions**

## SOURCE CONTROLS

**Operate at minimum power**

**A frequency reduction will assist in reducing perceived noise.**** **

## SOURCE CONTROLS

**SOURCE CONTROLS**

**Use quieter alternate equipment**

## PATH CONTROLS

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

## PATH CONTROLS

**Enclose especially noisy activities or stationary equipment**

## PATH CONTROLS

**PATH CONTROLS**

**Grout plant enclosure for ****audio, ****visual and dust control. **

## PATH CONTROLS

**PATH CONTROLS**

## 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.****  **

## 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**_**.****  **

## ACOUSTIC SHADOW ZONE

**ACOUSTIC SHADOW ZONE**

## PATH CONTROLS

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

## PATH CONTROLS

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

## PATH CONTROLS

**PATH CONTROLS**

**Any gaps should be completely sealed.**

## PATH CONTROLS

**Another option for temporary noise barriers are acoustical curtains.**

## BARRIER COST

## RECEPTOR CONTROLS

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

## RECEPTOR CONTROLS

**Window treatment program**

**A receptor located very close to the noise generating activity. **

## RECEPTOR CONTROLS

**Resident with health condition**

**Window treatment program**
**Criteria:**

**Hardship situation ( infant, house-bound person)**

## RECEPTOR CONTROLS

**Interior glazed storm sash**

**Window treatment program**
**Measures:**

**Replace window with double pane glass**

**Sliding glass storm door**

## 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**

## RECEPTOR CONTROLS

**Temporary relocation**

**In very special cases temporary relocation may be necessary.**
**California - earthquake repair**
**One case I-15 project (medical)**
**Four apartments CA/T project**

## COMMUNITY RELATIONS

**Early communication with the public is**

- vital

## COMMUNITY RELATIONS

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

## COMMUNITY RELATIONS

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

## COMMUNITY RELATIONSINFORMATION

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

## 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.**__**  **_

## COMMUNITY RELATIONSINFORMATION

**“****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.”**

## COMMUNITY RELATIONSINFORMATION

**Noise complaint hotline number**

**COMMUNITY RELATIONS****INFORMATION**

## Slide 39

## COMMUNITY RELATIONSINFORMATION

**COMMUNITY RELATIONS****INFORMATION**

**Noise complaint hotline number**

## COMMUNITY RELATIONS

**I-15 Hotline Calls**

## COMMUNITY RELATIONS

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

## Slide 43

## NOISE MITIGATION COST

**CA/T Noise Program Estimate**

## NOISE MITIGATION COST

**This mitigation effort represents about 0.15% of project cost.**
**What does project delay**** cost****.**

- COST