Streamlined process for determining noise mitigation requirements for new development projects

Abstract

Requirements for assessing potential noise impacts and establishing noise mitigation requirements for new development project can vary significantly from state to state, and even from one municipality to the next. This paper presents a streamlined approach to simplify that process. The process starts with a general assessment of the future project's significant noise sources and the noise-sensitivity of the surrounding area. This results in a determination of whether the proposed project would be considered a low, medium, or high noise impact project. For low noise impact projects little or no additional noise analysis would be required for approval. For a medium noise impact project, a streamlined process is presented to quickly identify noise sources to be mitigated and preferred options for mitigation elements. For high noise impacts projects, the developer is urged to hire a noise control professional. In each case, an appropriate level of documentation is recommended to present to the overseeing agency for review and approval.