Making Work Zones

Work Better
Effective Noise Control
During Nighttime
Construction
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
Noise Generator % identifying
as Problem*
Back-up Alarms 41
Slamming Tailgates 27
Hoe Rams 24
Milling/Grinding 16
Machines
6
Earthmoving Equip. 14
 PROBLEM ACTIVITES
Activity Type % identifying
as Problem*
Pavement Breaking 27
Paving/Resurfacing 25
Pile Driving 24
Bridge Deck Removal 24
6
Rehab 20
NOISE TRANSFER SITUATION

Pile Groundborne
driver vibration

Direct
Loader RECEIVER
Sound

Reverberant
Truck
field

SOURCE PATH RECEIVER

 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

 Equipment Restrictions
Require the use of
h Manually adjustable or
h Ambient-sensitive
backup alarms.
POSITION
OF
BACKUP
ALARMS
SOURCE CONTROLS
 Equipment
Restrictions
By specification
direct the use of
only solar
powered traffic
control devices.
 SOURCE CONTROLS
 Operate at minimum power
A frequency
reduction
will assist in
reducing
perceived
noise.
 SOURCE CONTROLS
 Use quieter
alternate
equipment
Use electric
or hydraulic
powered
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
Grout plant enclosure for
audio, visual and dust control.
 PATH
CONTROLS
Note
advertising
space sold
on the
enclosure.
 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
Hi g h f
requen
cy cut-
Lo off
w
fre
qu
en
cy
Source cu
t-o
Acoustic ff
shadow
 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
Any gaps should be
completely sealed.
 PATH
CONTROLS
Another
option for
temporary
noise barriers
are acoustical
curtains.
 BARRIER COST

Barrier Type Cost per sf.

Temporary walls $10 - $15
Curtains $8 - $9
Permanent wall $12 - $14
6
U.S. Gypsum, Ultrascreen
 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
 Window treatment program
Criteria:
• Resident with health
condition
• Hardship situation ( infant,
house-bound person)
 RECEPTOR CONTROLS
 Window treatment program
Measures:
• Interior glazed storm sash
• 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
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

 Establish and publicize

a responsive complaint
mechanism for the
duration of the project.
THANKS FOR YOUR
ATTENTION