Recommended Best Practices for the Use of the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (TNM): TNM Object Input, Noise Barrier Optimization, and Quality Assurance

Federal-aid highway projects that require a traffic noise analysis must use the latest version of the Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM), according to 23 CFR 772.9(a). While the FHWA TNM provides for the accurate prediction of traffic noise levels along the wayside of a highway, accurate results are not necessarily guaranteed. Accurate results depend upon the quality of the input data and the care with which the user replicates objects in the physical world with objects in the virtual world of the FHWA TNM. This study provides TNM users with the best sources for information and input data that are critical to the development of an accurate model of highway traffic noise. This report provides best practices and guidance related to: (1) Sources of quality geospatial and elevation data, including advice for conducting an online search for such data, (2) Traffic distributions across a multiple-lane highway, (3) Noise barrier optimization, and (4) Quality assurance of TNM models and noise study reports.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/traffic_noise_model/documents_and_references/tnm_best_practices/fhwahep16018.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  • http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/traffic_noise_model/documents_and_references/tnm_best_practices/index.cfm
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/63193
• Corporate Authors:

  Harris Miller Miller and Hanson, Incorporated

  77 South Bedford Street
  Burlington, MA  United States  01803

  Battelle

  Columbus, OH  United States 

  Federal Highway Administration

  Office of Planning, Environment and Realty, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Bajdek, Christopher
  • Menge, Christopher
  • Mazur, Ruth Anne
  • Pate, Alan
  • Schroeder, Jeremy
• Publication Date: 2015-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 96p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Data collection; Data quality; Noise barriers; Optimization; Traffic distribution; Traffic noise
• Identifier Terms: Traffic Noise Model
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01594601
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-11-D-0034 (Task 14001)
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 29 2016 9:34AM