ENVIRONMENT FEATURE
Quiet Please…
Traffic Noise Analysis and Abatement BY DAVID NILLES
The new noise barrier wall on Interstate 630 in Little Rock
W
HEN THE ARKANSAS
impact, the Department must consider
stated Matt Strawn, an Advanced
DEPARTMENT OF
measures that can be taken to lessen
GIS-Data Management Specialist in the
TRANSPORTATION
those adverse impacts.
Environmental Division.
CONSIDERS IMPROVING ITS
There are a variety of options that
“In 2004, we installed a wall made
NETWORK OF HIGHWAYS, THERE
ArDOT can consider to lessen the
of decorative concrete blocks on
ARE A HOST OF ITEMS THAT MUST BE
impacts of highway traffic noise.
Dave Ward Drive (State Highway 60)
CONSIDERED. Many of them have to
Possible noise abatement measures
in Conway. There is also one made of
do with the environment, and among
include noise barriers, highway design
precast concrete on Interstate 40 in
those environmental considerations
alterations and traffic management
North Little Rock,” Strawn added. “The
is highway traffic noise. How is a new
measures. Effective noise barriers can
recent widening project on Interstate
highway, or additional lanes on an
reduce noise levels by 10 to 15 decibels,
630 in Little Rock features our newest
existing highway, going to impact the
cutting the loudness of traffic noise in
wall, and it is made out of lightweight
surrounding area?
half.
PVC panels.”
Early in the planning stages of many
Though ArDOT has used some berms
highway projects, ArDOT must carry
in the past, most of the Department’s
out a noise study. The purpose of the
noise abatement efforts center around
study is to determine if the project,
barriers, more specifically walls.
when completed, will create excessive
“ArDOT’s first noise barrier was
DETERMINING THE NEED ArDOT is required to assess the effect of traffic noise on all highway projects of certain types receiving federal aid funds or having federal oversight.
noise problems for area residents. If
constructed of metal and installed on
Some examples of these projects are:
the predicted noise levels cause an
U.S. Highway 71 in Fayetteville in 1979.”
construction of a highway at a new
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