ACRP Problem Statement No. 13-02-11 Recommended Allocation:
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ACRP Problem Statement No. 13-02-11 Recommended Allocation: -- Noise Measurement Procedure for Federally Funded Airport Sound Insulation Programs ACRP Staff Comments: The proposed research overlaps with Problem Statement 13-02-01. Problem Statement 13-02-11 should be the primary problem statement. The proposed funding level appears appropriate. TRB Aviation Group Committees Comments: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF AVIATION: Do not support. Airports and their consultants are already conducting noise reduction measurements in consideration of DOT/FAA/PP-92-5, Guidelines for the Sound Insulation for Residences Exposed to Aircraft Operations (October 1992). There may soon be an urgent need for the assessment of acoustical evaluation methods for sound insulation programs because of the pending FAA Program Guidance Letter regarding sound insulation eligibility; however, it is not known if the need will develop or what the need may specifically be. It would be premature to move this project forward without the need for the research having been firmly established. Further, if and when a need is established, it may be more appropriate for the FAA themselves to directly fund the development of a testing protocol. Review Panel: Not recommended — The proposed research, which is similar to that of Problem Statement 13-02- 01, is premature. It should be delayed until the FAA's program guidance letter is issued. FAA is already conducting research in sound insulation measurement analysis. AOC Disposition: No funds allocated. No discussion. ACRP Problem Statement AACCRRPP Problem Number: 13-02-11 I. PROBLEM TITLE Noise Measurement Procedure for Federally Funded Airport Sound Insulation Programs II. RESEARCH STATEMENT Beginning in the early 1980s, FAA grants have funded voluntary noise compatibility projects under the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program. Funded projects include soundproofing homes and public buildings (schools, hospitals, churches, etc.), acquiring noise-sensitive properties and relocating their uses, implementing noise abatement procedures, and encouraging compatible zoning. The availability of funding for eligible programs through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) has resulted in most major airports, and many smaller airports, implementing residential and school sound insulation programs. Eligible sound insulation projects usually are located in areas where the day-night average sound level (DNL) is 65 dB or greater, and AIP funding is available for the implementation of dwelling modifications plus “before and after” noise testing. The goal of residential sound insulation programs is to modify construction elements to provide an interior noise environment of 45 DNL (CNEL in California) due to aircraft noise, while achieving a minimum 5 dB reduction in the interior noise level. Dwellings with existing interior noise levels less than 45 DNL are not always eligible, even if they are within the 65 DNL noise contour. Although the criterion for the design of dwelling modifications is fairly well defined, there is no standard procedure specified in the AIP Handbook for the measurement of the “before and after” noise reduction. The need for noise testing is twofold: 1. To measure the noise reduction of a building envelope and to determine its eligibility for participation in a sound insulation program (interior DNL > 45 dB); and 2. To determine whether the increase in noise reduction resulting from the application of building modifications meets the AIP program goals. The first of these requires the measurement of an absolute value of noise attenuation; the second requires a measurement of the difference in noise reduction before and after the modifications are implemented. Measurements of the noise reduction using aircraft overflights are representative of the real situation, but may be time-consuming and the results can vary as the noise source is uncontrolled. Measurements using an artificial noise source (a loudspeaker) are more controlled, but may not be representative of the real situation, while being destructive or objectionable to the community residents. The uncertainty of the noise reduction value measured by either procedure is on the order of ±2 dB at best, but this is not taken into account in determining eligibility. Given the critical nature of the measured results in determining dwelling eligibility, and in verifying that the building modifications increase the noise reduction by a minimum of 5 dB, there is the need for a standard procedure that is repeatable, accurately measures the noise reduction of a dwelling for aircraft noise, and is acceptable to communities. Furthermore, a protocol needs to be established to take into account measurement uncertainties in determining eligibility. III. OBJECTIVE The objective of this project is to evaluate current and proposed procedures for measuring the noise reduction of a dwelling exposed to aircraft noise, and to develop guidance for application of the measured results in determining eligibility for funding as part of airport sound insulation programs. IV. RESEARCH PROPOSED To conduct this research, the following tasks are recommended: 1. Conduct a literature review of procedures for measuring the noise reduction of dwellings exposed to aircraft noise, including collection of measured data. 2. Evaluate current and proposed measurement procedures through field tests conducted on a variety of dwelling configurations. 3. Propose a standard measurement procedure. 4. Establish guidelines for determining dwelling eligibility. 5. Prepare final report. V. ESTIMATE OF THE PROBLEM FUNDING AND RESEARCH PERIOD Recommended Funding: $350,000 Research Period: 18 months VI. URGENCY AND PAYOF POTENTIAL The goal of residential sound insulation projects is to minimize the community impact from aircraft noise. Each year, hundreds of millions of dollars are awarded to airports for this purpose under the AIP program. Without guidelines for conducting “before and after” noise measurements, and for determining eligibility, there can be a lack of consistency and an inequitable distribution of AIP funds in the implementation of airport projects to protect local communities. VII. RELATED RESEARCH Current research for ACRP 02-31 will gather measurement data for residential sound insulation projects implemented at a number of US airports. VIII. PERSON(S) DEVELOPING THE PROBLEM Ben H. Sharp Wyle, Environment and Energy Research and Consulting 218 South 18th Street, Suite 701 Arlington, VA 22202 Tel: 703-415-4550 ext. 15 Fax: 703-415-4556 [email protected] IX. PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP PROBLEM STATEMENT The problem statement was developed based on hands-on experience gained from years of research and consulting work for airport sound insulation programs. X. DATE AND SUBMITTED BY March 9, 2012 Ben H. Sharp Wyle, Environment and Energy Research and Consulting 218 South 18th Street, Suite 701 Arlington, VA 22202 Tel: 703-415-4550 ext. 15 Fax: 703-415-4556 [email protected] .