Noise Mitigation Pilot Project

The Ohio Turnpike Commission’s executive director and staff are aware of the concerns expressed by neighboring communities and residents regarding traffic noise on the Ohio Turnpike.

The General Assembly, in its biennial Transportation Budget, initiated a Study and Pilot Project, requiring the Commission to look into the viability of alternative noise mitigation methods or techniques that may alleviate some traffic noise along the Turnpike corridor.

The Commission issued a Request for Proposals for the Noise Mitigation Study and Pilot Project and, in July 2008, a contract was awarded to TranSystems of Cleveland, Ohio to perform this work.  Click here to view the Resolution.

Pilot Project sites were selected, with construction of two selected noise mitigation methods to take place in the spring of 2009.  A report is due to the Turnpike Legislative Review Committee by June 30, 2009. The Commission will analyze the findings produced by the Pilot Project, and ultimately make a determination on what, if any, further action will be taken.

Below is a portion of the legislative language to Capital Bill, Am. Sub. H.B. 562. regarding the Pilot Project.

Sec. 315.10. OHIO TURNPIKE COMMISSION NOISE MITIGATION PILOT PROJECT

The Ohio Turnpike Commission shall perform a study of noise impact mitigation methods or techniques that may be used as an alternative to traditional sound barriers on the turnpike project. The study shall examine the viability of alternative noise impact mitigation methods or techniques that may be installed to alleviate traffic noise that is in excess of the criteria contained in the Ohio Department of Transportation's "Standard Procedures for the Analysis and Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise." After completing the study, but before December 31, 2008, the Ohio Turnpike Commission shall commence a pilot program utilizing one or more alternative noise impact mitigation methods or techniques examined in the study, and shall submit a report containing the results of the pilot program and projected costs of further implementation to the Turnpike Legislative Review Committee not later than June 30, 2009.

12-15-08

The Ohio Turnpike Commission received the completed study by TranSystems.

While the report identifies noise sensitive areas (NSA), which predominantly consist of residential neighborhoods that may potentially be impacted by traffic noise and may be considered as a location for noise mitigation. The report also reviews numerous non-traditional noise abatement measures such as quiet pavement, noise insulation of receptor sites, land use planning and control, innovative noise barrier walls, acoustic panels, vegetation and other natural treatments.

The short list of sites was developed by considering various criteria which meet the goals of the pilot project such as the size of the site and number of receptors which could benefit from the pilot project. For each of the short listed sites, an appropriate non-traditional noise abatement measure was chosen based on various criteria such as the physical site- specific characteristics, the physical characteristics of the noise abatement measure, its' expected performance, unit cost and total construction cost which would fall within the estimated project budget constraints.

Following a review of traditional and non-traditional noise mitigation measures, it was determined that the installation of absorptive acoustic panels on the center concrete median and the construction of a "T"-top noise barrier wall would be implemented as the noise mitigation measures.

• Bridle Lane in Berea (located on the south side of the Turnpike just west of the Sprague Road overpass) was chosen for the site of the pilot program to implement the "T"-top noise barrier wall.
• Blazey Trail in Strongsville (located on the south side of the Turnpike west of West 130th Street) was chosen as the site for the pilot program to implement the median-mounted acoustic panels.

TranSystems will perform a series of pre and post sound readings at these locations.  A completed report is due to the Turnpike Legislative Review Committee by June 30, 2009.

Click here to view the TranSystems Noise Mitigation Study (PDF). 

 
New updates will be posted when available.

POSTED ON:  07.11.08

UPDATED ON:  12.15.08