Update the National REMEL Database Used in FHWA Traffic Noise Model

Highway noise is always a top environmental concern with the public on any highway project. The Reference Energy Mean Emission Level (REMEL) database is an inventory of different vehicle pass-by noise levels that is the basis for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM) analysis software. It is 25 years old and in need of updating due to changing vehicle fleet characteristics. Newer noise measurement technology has also evolved, and it can be applied to locate and quantify noise generators on a moving vehicle. The REMEL database directly affects noise impact and mitigation analyses on federal-aid projects. Research is needed to update the highway noise dataset using existing and new highway acoustic measurement technologies to account for the change in the vehicle fleet. The objective of this research is to update the REMEL noise database to account for new vehicle fleet with focus on the following: (1) Newer passenger car (PC) types, (2) Medium truck (MT), (3) Heavy truck (HT), and (4) Electronic vehicle (EV). At a minimum, the research team should use three acoustic measurement technologies (beamforming, wayside sound level, and on-board sound intensity [OBSI]) that will better quantify the position and distribution of vehicle noise sub-sources: mechanical, exhaust, tire/pavement, and aerodynamic sources.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5363
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $1000000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 25-66

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Deng, Zuxuan

• Start Date: 20230515
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic measuring instruments; Databases; Mathematical models; Traffic noise; Vehicle fleets
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01846752
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 25-66
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 24 2022 11:08AM