Analysis of Lightweight Transparent Noise Barriers on IH-30 Elevated Structures in Dallas, Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation commissioned a study to analyze the feasibility and effectiveness of lightweight noise barriers on Interstate Highway 30, near downtown Dallas. The highway segment in question, an elevated structure next to a creek, has presented noise problems for the adjacent neighborhood ever since its expansion in the early 2000s. The highway carries substantial commuter traffic as well as heavy trucks. The neighborhood is hilly and sits at a higher elevation relative to the highway, except for a few residences on the street adjacent to the creek. The material for the noise barrier needed to be lightweight in order to be supported by the existing bridge structures without having to retrofit them. The project consisted of two phases: the first one, the westernmost segment, installed in 2013, consists of 10-ft tall transparent acrylic noise panels mounted on top of the existing 8-ft concrete wall; the second phase, consists of three segments of noise wall of the same material, also mounted on the existing concrete walls, with 13-ft tall panels for one segment and 10-ft tall panels for the other two segments. Residential sound pressure level tests were performed at various locations before the transparent wall installations, and continued for almost four years after the wall was completed, for the first-phase wall. A portable weather station was used to monitor the conditions at the time of the tests. Measurements were conducted three times a day—morning, afternoon, and evening—and test days occurred once or twice a month. A statistical analysis of the various weather variables and their influence on the noise levels was performed. The results indicate that the wall is effective, although the acoustic benefits appear to be small, they are statistically significant, showing that the barrier has an effect on noise levels. The neighbors are satisfied with its performance and with its aesthetic appearance. The success of the first phase led TxDOT to proceed with the extension of the wall towards the east for the second phase. This installation was just finished in August 2018. Noise tests to monitor the second-phase wall’s performance will ensue, following similar procedures as those of the first phase.

• Record URL:
  https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/ctr-publications/0-6804-2.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/catalogid=36997
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/67524
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/49131
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Transportation Research
  3925 W. Braker Lane, 4th Floor
  Austin, TX  United States  78759

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Trevino, Manuel
• Publication Date: 2019-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 198p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Elevated structures; Feasibility analysis; Interstate highways; Lightweight materials; Noise barriers; Traffic noise; Transparence
• Identifier Terms: Texas Department of Transportation
• Geographic Terms: Dallas (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01712011
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 0-6804-2
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 22 2019 8:00PM