Community‐based environmental noise management.

Abstract

Many local noise control initiatives in the past have been very successful in engineering terms, but community noise problems still exist, more needs to be done, and without concerted and sustained action these problems will continue to get worse. However, deciding on the most effective noise control options for communities is not just a matter of promulgating legally required noise exposure criteria and/or mandating the development of action plans to achieve these required noise levels. There are often multiple, conflicting perspectives among the various stakeholders involved in the resolution of community noise issues, which must be resolved to achieve effective solutions. This presentation provides a brief introduction to some of the concepts and techniques that can be utilized to fill this need. It will introduce the idea of community‐based environmental noise management, which includes a “tool‐kit” concept, which can be used by local communities in developing effective, acceptable, and affordable noise policies. Major components of this approach include land use planning and urban design, the use of a modern environmental impact assessment Process (EIAP), implementation of state and local noise ordinances and building codes, plus related technical tools and various support requirements.