Workship on noise control and urban planning

Abstract

In recognition of the fact that unrestricted land development and planning decisions made without regard to noise have left a legacy of noise problems which are just now being addressed by noise abatement progams, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, sponsored a two day Workshop on Noise Control and Urban Planning. The purpose of the workshop was to prepare local, state, and Federal government land use planners to identify and quantify potential noise problems using current analytical techniques and solutions to noise problems through compatible land use planning. The Workshop was divided into several major elements. Problem definition, assessment alternatives and problem solutions presented the land use planner with a logical, sequential path of attack. A discussion of the integration of Federal, State, and local legislative parameters into the planning process was coupled with the latest analytical techniques and noise prediction programs. Potential solutions to the noise problems included planning as well as operational controls. Comprehensive and master planning, zoning, architectural controls, building codes, and capital improvement planning were among the solutions covered. The purpose of this paper is to present highlights of the major elements of the Workshop.