Development of a Highway Construction Noise Prediction Model

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed the Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM) in response to growing public concern and complaints about construction noise. The RCNM is based on the construction noise model developed and utilized at the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston. The data used for the RCNM has since been used as a reference source for construction equipment noise emissions and predictions. The model itself has been used for planning and environmental assessment, construction noise mitigation plans, regulations development, and specification enforcement. RCNM uses simplified assumptions (e.g., equipment usage factors) that limit its flexibility and accuracy additionally, the construction equipment noise database in RCNM provides only broadband Lmax A-weighted levels, the calculation of time-dependent noise metrics is done by estimation, and it neglects the excess attenuation provided by ground effects and air absorption losses. To ensure compliance with state, local, and project-specific noise restrictions, under the NCHRP 25-49 project, RCNM 2.0 was developed, an improved model for predicting construction noise and the effects of noise reduction efforts. The objective of this research was to develop and validate a noise model to calculate the acoustic environment associated with highway construction equipment and activities, to accumulate a database of noise sources, and to document the appropriate applications of the model. The final report Development of a Highway Construction Noise Prediction Model, the Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM) 2.0 User Guide, and Appendix-A inclusive of survey questions and responses are available on this project home page. The RCNM 2.0 may be found on the FHWA webpage using the following link https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/construction_noise/.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3889

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $350000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 25-49

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 225
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Crichton-Sumners, C

• Performing Organizations:

  Gannett Fleming, Incorporated

  209 Senate Avenue
  Camp Hill, Pennsylvania  United States  17011
• Principal Investigators:

  El-Aassar, Ahmed

• Start Date: 20151102
• Expected Completion Date: 20181031
• Actual Completion Date: 20181031
• Source Data: RiP Project 37530

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Databases; Forecasting; Noise control; Noise sources; Regulations; Road construction; Sound level; Tunneling; Validation
• Subject Areas: Construction; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01543478
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 25-49
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 15 2014 1:01AM