Does vehicle noise bother you? We can help!

Highway traffic can make for a noisy neighbor ― semi trucks rolling over rumble strips, horns blasting, tires squealing, cars speeding by, even vehicle emissions can be “noisy.” 

As backyard BBQ season approaches, Illinois residents will be spending more time outside, craving social time and hot dogs, but too much noise pollution can put a damper on the fun.

Communities are asking the Illinois Department of Transportation to contain the noise, while maintaining neighborhood aesthetics. IDOT has a solution to this challenge based on current noise abatement policy. Its evaluation is triggered by the impact of traffic noise ― taking into account cost effectiveness, maintenance, material, and location. This formula covers the majority of scenarios, but there is always an exception to the rule.

When construction companies propose a traffic noise barrier, it must meet IDOT pre-approved specifications. Sometimes, however, alternative noise barriers are necessary.

“Recently, more and more stakeholders for projects, including noise abatement barriers, are concerned about the aesthetic values of materials proposed for use in those barriers,” Said Scott Stitt, IDOT project technical review panel chair. “This often leads to requests for use of materials beyond those already approved.”

The research project ― R27-176, Alternative Noise Barrier Approvals ― directed by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Khaled El-Rayes includes ICT researchers, who are partnering with IDOT staff to study, identify, and recommend the best policies and procedures for alternative noise barrier approval.

“In recent years, IDOT and other state DOTs have started to use alternative noise barrier materials, such as acrylic, metal, and vinyl. These alternative noise barriers provide more options to support IDOT in their ongoing efforts to expedite the completion and delivery of highway and road construction in a cost-effective and timely manner,” El-Rayes said.

Researchers analyzed and explored collected data and as a result, they recommended a more streamlined approach to alternative noise barrier approval, including an approval flowchart and specific approval procedures. “The project’s recommendations should assist the department in clarifying, streamlining, and expediting the approval of alternative noise barriers,” Stitt said.

“The use of these alternative noise barrier materials needs to be analyzed and approved to ensure they satisfy the minimum acoustic, structural, and safety requirements,” El-Rayes said. “In this project, we developed and recommended best management practices that can be used by IDOT to expedite the approval process of alternative noise barriers.”

The benefits of this project will help IDOT save time when planning alternative noise barriers. Stakeholders will have recommendations for their barrier type and material at the outset, and saving time often means saving money.