Date: 7/28/2009

The Audio Arts & Acoustics Department will be hosting the Highway Traffic Noise seminar (FHWA-NHI-142051) August 18 – 20, 2009, 618 S. Michigan Ave., Room 903
Seating is limited to 30 participants.

Please Click Here to Register

Session Overview

This training will help educate engineers, environmental specialists, designers, planners, and consultants about traffic noise and ways to reduce the impacts caused by highway projects. Shaped by a technical panel of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) noise specialists, environmental specialists from State Departments of Transportation (DOT), and the chair of the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Transportation-Related Noise and Vibration, the training is an introductory– yet comprehensive– overview of highway traffic noise.

Topics covered include the basic principles of acoustics, how to determine when a noise analysis is required, and typical strategies to mitigate noise in highway projects. The training also provides an overview of the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM), which was developed to predict noise levels and evaluate mitigation options.

As part of the training design, NHI commissioned a customized version of the Interactive Sound Information System (ISIS). ISIS is a noise simulation software program that employs high-quality digital recordings, precise sound control, and graphic imagery to present basic acoustical concepts and sounds from various traffic and other sources. ISIS also demonstrates the sound level reductions provided by various noise barrier configurations.

In addition to a presentation on Federal noise regulations and policies, the noise specialist from the host State DOT is invited to present their State DOT’s policies and procedures to ensure that this training is relevant to those attending. And participants will learn about noise-compatible planning, which encourages state and local governments to prohibit noise-sensitive land uses adjacent to highways.

Who should attend?

• FHWA staff
• State Department of Transportation

o    environmental specialists

o    designers

o    planners

o    engineers

• City or County

o    environmental engineers

o    coordinators

o    specialists

• Independent Consultants

Instructed by:

• Adam Alexander, Federal Highway Administration
• William Bowlby, Ph.D., P.E., Bowlby & Associates, Inc.
• Roger L. Wayson, Ph.D., P.E., USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Session Schedule

Day 1 Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Basic Acoustics and Terminology
• Federal Legislation, Regulations, and Policies
• State DOT Traffic Noise Policies and Procedures

Day 2 Wednesday, August 19, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Review and Preview
• Noise Study Requirements
• Noise Measurement
• Basics of Traffic Noise Modeling and Impact Determination
• Introduction to FHWA TNM
• Barrier Acoustical Concepts and Design

Day 3 Thursday, August 20, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 4:50 p.m.

• Review and Preview
• Construction Noise
• Public Involvement
• Noise Study Documentation
• Noise Abatement Activities Related to Land Use and Source Control
• Highway Project-Related Noise Abatement
• Exam
• Exam Overview and Closing

Continuing Education Units (CEU’s)
1.8 CEU’s upon successful completion of the course exam and 100% attendance during the three days.

Seating limited to 30 participants!
Registration Fee* Includes

• All session training materials
• Certificate of completion
• Morning munchies, coffee and juice service

* Fee includes $69 surcharge above standard NHI fee of $420 to cover food and beverage service

Hotels
Hotels within 1-2 blocks of the training session site.

Hilton Chicago ($229-$345)
720 S. Michigan Avenue
312-922-4440

Congress Plaza Hotel ($104-$142)
520 S. Michigan Avenue
312-427-3800

Travelodge Hotel Downtown Chicago ($89-$152)
65 E. Harrison Street
312-427-8000

Blackstone Hotel ($189-$239)
636 S. Michigan Ave.
312-447-0955

Hotels within walking distance of the training session site.

Palmer House ($149-$254)
17 E. Monroe St.
312-726-7500

Club Quarters ($124-$139 / $77-$87 wknds)
111 W. Adams St.
312-214-6400
(GROUP CODE COC817)

Tourism and travel information to help you plan your trip

Click here to get a PDF document with links to tourism and travel information to help you plan your trip.

For more information contact

Ron Elling
Audio Arts & Acoustics Department
Columbia College Chicago
312-369-8820

Special thanks to the following company for their generous support of this seminar:

Kinetics Noise Control, Inc.