HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix L-2007&2005Vail Noise Report
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007
PREPARED FOR: Chad Salli / Town of Vail
PREPARED BY: Jeff Cerjan / Hankard Environmental Inc.
CC:
Greg Hall / Town of Vail
Mike Hankard / Hankard Environmental Inc.
PROJECT: Town of Vail Noise Measurements 2007
DATE: June 22, 2007
Noise measurements were conducted along Interstate 70 in Vail for one week in April-May
2007. The purpose of the measurements was to a) provide a comparison to measurements
conducted in 2004, and b) to see if construction work on I-70 west of Vail was having any
measurable impact on I-70 traffic noise in Vail. Noise levels were measured at the same four
locations in 2007 that were used in 2004. The measurement equipment used in both surveys
was the same or similar, and the same measurement procedures were followed. Finally, the
same data reduction procedures were followed, including the analysis of traffic conditions.
Noise Measurement Locations
Noise measurements were conducted at the four locations shown in Figure 1. A description
of each measurement site is provided below. Traffic and weather conditions were
monitored northeast of Donovan Park. More detailed information regarding the
measurement locations can be found in Hankard Environmental’s Results of Noise and Speed
Measurements and Analyses memorandum dated November 18, 2004.
M1 (West Vail): Located on the north side of I-70, west of the West Vail Interchange,
and along Chamonix Lane near the Chamonix Chalets Condominiums. This site was
selected to represent the West Vail area. The measurement location is 200 feet from
the centerline of Westbound I-70, and the view to the highway is unobstructed.
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M2 (Donovan Park): Located on the south side of I-70, east of the West Vail
Interchange, along Matterhorn Circle. This site was chosen to represent the residents
in the area, and Donovan Park. The measurement location is 400 feet from the
centerline of Eastbound I-70, and the view to the highway is obstructed somewhat by
tress, residences, and the shoulder of Eastbound I-70.
M3 (Sandstone Park): Located on the north side of I-70, west of the Main Vail
Interchange, in Sandstone Park. This site was chosen to represent the residences in the
area, and Sandstone Park. The measurement location is 300 feet from the centerline of
Westbound I-70, and the view to the highway is obstructed somewhat by trees.
M4 (East Vail): Located on the north side of I-70, east of East Vail Interchange, along
Fall Line Drive. This site was chosen to represent the East Vail area, and to capture
noise from trucks coming down off of Vail Pass. The measurement location is 200 feet
from the centerline of Westbound I-70, and the view to the highway is obstructed by a
berm to the east.
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 1 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
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Figure 1: Vail Noise Measurement Sites
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 2 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
Measurement Equipment
A Norsonics Type 114 sound level meter was used at M1, and Larson Davis Model 820
sound level meters were used at M2, M3, and M4. The Larson Davis meters were calibrated
by an accredited laboratory within the past one year, and the Norsonics meter was
calibrated within the past two years.
Traffic counting was conducted using a Wavetronix SmartSensor Model 105 attached to an
instrumentation grade 20-foot tall tripod. This sensor is radar based and monitors the speed
and length of each vehicle in up to eight lanes simultaneously.
Weather conditions were monitored using a tripod-mounted system that includes a RM
Young wind sensor, a Vaisala relative humidity probe, and a Campbell Scientific CR510
data logger.
Measurement Procedures
All four sound level meters were set to monitor the overall, A-weighted, five-minute,
equivalent noise level (Leq, dBA). All microphones were equipped with windscreens and
were located five feet above the ground. All sound level meters were time-synchronized
with each other. Each sound level meter was field calibrated prior to and re-checked after
each measurement. All calibrations were within ±0.2 dBA.
The traffic counter was setup to monitor traffic along I-70 and traffic along the southern
frontage road. Monitoring traffic on the north frontage road was not possible due to the
distance limitations of the traffic counter. The traffic counter automatically located each
lane of traffic and speed and length adjustments to the program as necessary. The traffic
counter was time synchronized with the sound level meters and logging was set at five-
minute intervals to match the sound level meters.
The weather station was setup to monitor the wind speed, wind direction, and relative
humidity. The station was time synchronized with the sound level meters and set to
monitor five-minute averages. The orientation of the weather station was situated using a
compass.
Noise measurements were started on April 26, 2007 (Thursday). The traffic and weather
stations were setup and started on April 27, 2007 (Friday). All meters were checked on May
1, 2007 (Tuesday) and some equipment was downloaded as needed. All equipment was
retrieved on May 4, 2007 (Friday). Post checks of the noise meter calibrations showed no
error greater than ±0.2 dBA (which is acceptable).
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 3 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
Measured Noise Levels
Figures 2 through 5 show the measured noise levels, and Figures 6 and 7 show the
measured wind and relative humidity values. Table 1 lists the average noise levels
measured in 2007, those measured in 2004, and the difference between the two surveys.
These levels have not been adjusted for differences in traffic conditions. The results of that
analysis are provided in the following section. For both 2004 and 2007, the noise levels
measured when wind speeds were greater than five miles per hour or when the pavement
was wet (based on humidity monitoring) were not included in the averages.
TABLE 1
Average Measured Noise Levels for 2004 and 2007 (dBA) – No traffic adjustments
2007 All Data
Loudest Hours
(7:30 to 8:30am,
4:30 to 5:30pm)
Daytime
(7am to 10pm)
Nighttime
(10pm to 7am)
M1 63 66 65 60
M2 59 60 59 57
M3 57 59 58 54
M4 61 63 63 58
2004 All Data
Loudest Hours
(7:30 to 8:30am,
4:30 to 5:30pm)
Daytime
(7am to 10pm)
Nighttime
(10pm to 7am)
M1 66 68 68 63
M2 60 61 61 57
M3 58 61 60 55
M4 61 64 63 58
Change All Data
Loudest Hours
(7:30 to 8:30am,
4:30 to 5:30pm)
Daytime
(7am to 10pm)
Nighttime
(10pm to 7am)
M1 -3 -2 -3 -3
M2 -1 -1 -2 0
M3 -1 -2 -2 -1
M4 0 -1 0 0
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 4 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
12
:00 A
M
12
:0
0
P
M
12
:00 A
M
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:0
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:00 A
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:0
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12
:00 A
M
Nois
e
Leve
l
(L
eq
,
5
m
i
n
ute
,
d
B
A)
4/26: Thur 4/27: Fri 4/28: Sat 4/29: Sun 4/30: Mon 5/1: Tues 5/2: Wed 5/3: Thur
Figure 2: Valid Noise Levels for West Vail Area (M1) in 2007
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
12
:
0
0
A
M
12
:
0
0 P
M
12
:
0
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M
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0
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A
M
No
i
s
e
L
e
v
e
l
(
Leq
,
5
m
inu
t
e,
dB
A
)
4/26: Thur 4/27: Fri 4/28: Sat 4/29: Sun 4/30: Mon 5/1: Tues 5/2: Wed 5/3: Thur
Figure 3: Valid Noise Levels for Donovan Park Area (M2) in 2007
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 5 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
12
:
00
A
M
12
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P
M
12
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00
A
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A
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No
ise L
e
ve
l
(
L
eq
,
5
minu
te
,
d
B
A)
4/26: Thur 4/27: Fri 4/28: Sat 4/29: Sun 4/30: Mon 5/1: Tues 5/2: Wed 5/3: Thur
Figure 4: Valid Noise Levels for Sandstone Park Area (M3) in 2007
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
12
:
0
0
A
M
12
:00
P
M
12
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0
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No
i
s
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L
e
v
e
l
(
L
e
q
,
5
m
i
n
u
t
e
,
d
B
A
)
4/26: Thur 4/27: Fri 4/28: Sat 4/29: Sun 4/30: Mon 5/1: Tues 5/2: Wed 5/3: Thur
Figure 5: Valid Noise Levels for East Vail Area (M4) in 2007
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 6 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
0
5
10
15
20
12
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0
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A
M
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Av
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r
a
g
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W
i
n
d
Sp
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e
d
(
5
m
i
n
,
m
p
h
)
4/26: Thur 4/27: Fri 4/28: Sat 4/29: Sun 4/30: Mon 5/1: Tues 5/2: Wed 5/3: Thur
Figure 6: Average Wind Speeds for 2007 Noise Measurements
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
12
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Ave
r
ag
e
Re
l
a
t
i
v
e
H
umi
d
i
t
y
%
(
5 m
in)
4/26: Thur 4/27: Fri 4/28: Sat 4/29: Sun 4/30: Mon 5/1: Tues 5/2: Wed 5/3: Thur
Figure 7: Average Relative Humidity for 2007 Noise Measurements
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 7 JUNE 22, 2007
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM HANKARD ENVIRONMENTAL
VAIL NOISE MEASUREMENTS 2007 8 JUNE 22, 2007
•
•
•
Accounting For Traffic Conditions
From Table 1, above, the noise levels measured in 2007 were 0 to 3 dBA lower than those
measured in 2004. In order to try and determine the cause of this, traffic data was analyzed.
The following conclusions can be drawn from the data we have:
Based on Hankard Environmental’s traffic counts, average hourly traffic volumes on
I-70 were 1,014 in 2004 and 932 in 2007. This would account for about 0.5 dBA of the
measured decrease in noise levels.
Based on CDOT’s permanent traffic counter near West Vail, average hourly vehicle
counts during the 2004 survey were 1,296, and during the 2007 survey they were
1,016. This would account for about 1.0 dBA of the measured decrease in noise
levels.
Based on Hankard Environmental’s measurements, vehicle speeds decreased from
67 mph to 66 mph for eastbound I-70 between 2004 and 2007, but increased from 65
mph to 69 mph for westbound I-70. A 0.5 dBA increase in noise levels would be
expected as a result.
Overall, we feel it is appropriate to add 1 dB to the measured levels in 2007 to account for
the lower traffic volumes that occurred during that survey relative to the 2004 survey. We
do not recommend making changes to the noise levels based on the speed data, as the
accuracy of the radar system we used does not warrant that. Table 2 shows the change in
noise levels between 2004 and 2007 when 1 dB is added to the 2007 levels. As can be seen,
the levels are quite similar between the two surveys, particularly given the fact that
environmental noise levels are known to fluctuate by as much as 5 to 10 dBA from time to
time.
TABLE 2
Change in Noise Levels Between 2004 and 2007 (dBA) – Adjusted for traffic volume
All Data
Loudest Hours
(7:30 to 8:30am,
4:30 to 5:30pm)
Daytime
(7am to 10pm)
Nighttime
(10pm to 7am)
M1 -2 -1 -2 -2
M2 0 0 -1 1
M3 0 -1 -1 0
M4 1 0 1 1
Evaluation of Highway
Noise Mitigation Alternatives
For Vail Colorado
Final Report
October 2005
Prepared for
Vail, Colorado
Prepared by
Fort Collins, Colorado
1.0 Introduction
This report describes the options available to reduce noise from Interstate 70 through Vail
Colorado. This study was commissioned by the Town of Vail, which has been investigating the
noise issue for many years. There are a number of complexities involved with the
implementation of highway noise mitigation measures, including the length of the study area (8
miles), the extreme topography and weather in Vail, Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations, safety and maintenance
concerns, aesthetics, and cost. Understanding of the issue is aided by dividing the list of
available mitigation measures into three categories: “source”, “path”, and “receiver”. As
illustrated in Figure 1-1, the source is traffic traveling on the highway and frontage roads. The
path is the land between the highway and adjacent residences and parks. The residences and
parks are the receivers. Table 1-1 lists the available highway noise mitigations measures using
this categorization.
As described in Section 2, Source Controls reduce the amount of noise that is generated in the
first place. As a result, they benefit almost everyone, regardless of location. For example,
reducing speeds and/or putting down quiet pavement reduces noise at ALL homes and
businesses in Town, versus a wall that benefits only those located directly behind it or thicker
windows that only benefit an individual property. The cons of source controls are that each
only provides only a few dB of reduction, they are costly, and they require continued
cooperation from the public and/or government agencies.
As described in Section 3, Path Controls benefit a given area, such as a neighborhood. For walls
and berms, the extent of the benefited area depends on their height and length and on
topography. Barriers typically range in height from 3 to 25 feet, and can be hundreds to
thousands of feet long. A 15-foot tall wall typically provides 5 to 10 dBA of noise reduction,
depending on topography and distance. The cons of building barriers, particularly walls, are
aesthetics, cost, and the rigors of CDOT coordination. The most effective path control is a
tunnel, which would virtually eliminate highway noise along adjacent stretches. However,
ventilation and portal noise would need to be addressed. Building a tunnel is, obviously, a
major undertaking with a host of issues associated with it.
Receiver Controls are described in Section 4. For developed properties, these include the
construction of solid fences on private property, the rearrangement of outdoor use areas such
as patios, and the installation of better windows. Such measures are effective, but only benefit
individual properties and are the responsibility of the property owner. For new
(re)developments, recommendations are provided regarding how noise can be considered
early in the planning and design process as to minimize conflicts in the first place.
A summary of recommended noise mitigation measures is provided in Section 5. In order to
effectively mitigate noise in Vail, a number of measures will need to be pursued
simultaneously, including speed reduction, pavement changes, barriers, and improvements to
the planning processing for proposed (re)developments.
HIGHWAY NOISE MITIGATION ALTERNATIVES FOR VAIL COLORADO 1 FINAL REPORT – OCTOBER 2005
Figure 1-1
Breakdown of Available Highway Noise Mitigation Measures
Table 1-1
Available Highway Noise Mitigation Measures
Source
Control
Measures
Reduce speeds
Install low-noise pavement
Modify tires, reduce engine/exhaust noise
Path
Control
Measures
Construct barriers (berms/wall) along
highway/frontage roads
Construct tunnel
Receiver
Control
Measures
Construct barriers (walls, berms) on affected property
Re-arrange existing site use
Acoustically insulate structures
Consider noise in the layout of (re)developments
Consider noise early in the design of buildings within
(re)developments
HIGHWAY NOISE MITIGATION ALTERNATIVES FOR VAIL COLORADO 2 FINAL REPORT – OCTOBER 2005