Environmental Division - Air & Noise Analysis Sections
James K. Polk Building, Suite 900
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0334
Phone: 615.741.5373
Fax: 615.741.1098
Jim Ozment, Manager
The Sections main role is to analyze and predict the environmental effects of highways with respect to air and noise impacts in order to minimize the effects on the community.
Noise:
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) recognizes that highway traffic noise is an important environmental impact consideration in the improvement and development of the state’s highway system. Noise impacts are taken into consideration in the planning, location, design, and construction phases of highway project development. Decisions made during each of these phases attempt to minimize impacts from highway traffic noise on noise-sensitive areas.
TDOT’s evaluations comply with the requirements of Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance for the identification of
highway traffic noise impacts contained in 23 CFR Part 772
“Procedures
for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and
Construction Noise.” and the TDOT, Policy on Highway Traffic
Noise Abatement (pdf).
Traffic noise analysis is performed for developed lands containing noise-sensitive land uses and for undeveloped land where development is planned, designed, and programmed. The areas (receivers) that are chosen for modeling will be outdoor areas where frequent human use occurs without regard to property lines. These outdoor areas could be patios, porches, decks, balconies, common grounds areas, or other appropriate locations.
Additional Resources:
Highway Traffic Noise - This website describes some fundamentals of highway traffic noise and the noise requirements in the highway program. It is intended for the general public, elected officials, and anyone interested in learning about the basics of highway traffic noise.
Keeping the Noise Down - This website presents very basic information on noise barriers, i.e., it discusses the questions a person might normally ask about noise barriers.
Air Quality:
The staff works with TDOT design engineers and consultants to evaluate the impact of various roadway designs on local air quality. In addition to a review for project conformity with the Clean Air Act and Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT), impact is also reviewed for PM 2.5, in select counties. In addition to meeting federal regulations, TDOT’s policy requires an environmental review on state and local projects in the interest of protecting public health and environment.
Noise Policies and Procedures
