Traffic Noise Toolkit
Traffic noise compliance is governed by sections of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that address the avoidance and mitigation of traffic noise impacts resulting from roadway projects and the Federal Aid Highway Act. This act mandates FHWA to develop and promulgate guidelines and standards for highway noise levels. Environmental practitioners can use these tools to prepare materials compliant with those regulations.
Questions? Contact the traffic noise specialist at 512-416-3025.
| Title | Date | Description |
| Guidance: Traffic Noise Policy Implementation | 09/24 | Describes the implementation TxDOT’s Traffic Noise Policy and the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Noise Standard at 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 772. |
| Memo - TxDOT 2019 Traffic Noise Policy | 02/19 | Provides a summary of the changes between the 2011 Guidelines and the 2019 Noise Policy. |
| 2019 Noise Policy: Roadway Traffic and Construction Noise | 02/19 | Describes TxDOT’s policies for implementation of the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Noise Standard at 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 772. Effective date for this policy is December 31, 2019. |
| Memo - Noise Barrier Reasonable Cost Proposal Update | 09/24 | Provides the updated FHWA-approved wall-only cost per square foot value for cost reasonableness. |
| User's Guide: Traffic Noise Model | 2005 | A detailed guide to using FHWA's Traffic Noise Model 2.5 for TxDOT projects |
| Title | Date | Description |
| Standard Language for Documenting Traffic Noise Analyses | 09/24 | Standard text to be used when preparing NEPA documents specific to traffic noise. |
| Template: No Noise Impact | 03/20 | Used for the traffic noise analysis report when the noise analysis indicated no predicted noise impacts. |
| Template: Noise Impacts No Abatement | 03/20 | Used for the traffic noise analysis report when the noise analysis indicated predicted noise impacts, but no noise abatement is proposed. |
| Template: Noise Impacts with Abatement | 03/20 | Used for the traffic noise analysis report when the noise analysis indicated predicted noise impacts and noise abatement is proposed. |
| Form - Constructability Assessment for Proposed Noise Barrier | 09/24 | Used to document a determination by the design engineer of whether it is feasible and reasonable to design and construct a proposed noise barrier, based on site constraints or other factors. |
| Alternate Barrier Cost Assessment Worksheet | 09/24 | Used for the Alternate Barrier Cost assessment to determine if projected costs directly associated with the construction of a proposed barrier would be unreasonably high, and therefore not cost reasonable. |
| Template: Letter Related to Noise Contours for Land Use Planning | 03/20 | Used to inform local officials regarding TxDOT's responsibilities regarding noise abatement for new development once an environmental decision has been made. |
| Noise Barrier Tracking Spreadsheet | 08/19 | Used to complete the “Perform Noise Mitigation” Activity in ECOS. |
| Title | Date | Description |
| Building Barriers to Traffic Noise Brochure | 07/16 | Informs the public about noise pollution, how it is measured and what steps are appropriate to mitigate excessive traffic noise |
| Construyendo Barreras al Ruido del Tráfico Folleto | 07/16 | Spanish language brochure of Building Barriers to Traffic Noise brochure |
| Title | Date | Description |
| Template: Noise Workshop Invitation | 08/20 | Used to prepare an invitation or notice for a noise workshop meeting to discuss a proposed traffic noise barrier |
| Template: Noise Workshop Ballot | 08/20 | Used to prepare a ballot for eligible property owners and residents to vote on a proposed traffic noise barrier |
| Template: Documentation of Noise Workshop Cover Page | 08/19 | Used to complete the "Perform Noise Workshop" Activity in ECOS |
| Title | Date | Description |
| Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Part 772: Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise | Provides FHWA procedures for noise studies and noise abatement measures pursuant to the standards mandated by 23 USC 109, and all highway projects developed in conformance with this 23 CFR 772 have met the FHWA noise standards | |
| FHWA Highway Traffic Noise Website | Provides guidance to control the undesirable effects of highway traffic noise using a three-part approach: noise compatible planning, source control and highway project noise mitigation | |
| Highway Traffic Noise: Analysis and Abatement Guidance | Provides guidance from FHWA for the applying the strictly voluntary 23 CFR 772 in the analysis and abatement of highway traffic noise based on lessons learned and best practices; it does not constitute the establishment of an FHWA standard | |
| FHWA Highway Traffic Noise: Traffic Noise Model Web Page | Provides guidance about the background of the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM) and links with additional information | |
| FHWA Highway Traffic Noise: Measurement of Highway-Related Noise Web Page | Provides guidance for measuring different aspects of highway noise to determine or predict community impacts during urban planning; for using a precise, uniform, field measurement practice that allows a valid comparison of results from similar studies performed by a variety of transportation practitioners and researchers; and for determining existing noise in the vicinity of a highway or determining vehicle noise emissions |