772.17—Traffic noise prediction.

(a) Any analysis required by this subpart must use the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM), which is described in “FHWA Traffic Noise Model” Report No. FHWA-PD-96-010, including Revision No. 1, dated April 14, 2004, or any other model determined by the FHWA to be consistent with the methodology of the FHWA TNM. These publications are incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 and are on file at the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. These documents are available for copying and inspection at the Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, as provided in 49 CFR part 7. These documents are also available on the FHWA's Traffic Noise Model Web site at the following URL: http://www.trafficnoisemodel.org/main.html.
(b) In predicting noise levels and assessing noise impacts, traffic characteristics which will yield the worst hourly traffic noise impact on a regular basis for the design year shall be used.

Code of Federal Regulations

[47 FR 29654, July 8, 1982; 47 FR 33956, Aug. 5, 1982, as amended at 70 FR 16710, Apr. 1, 2005; 74 FR 28442, June 16, 2009]

Code of Federal Regulations

Effective Date Note: At 75 FR 39834, July 13, 2010, part 772 was revised, effective July 13, 2011. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows: PART 772—PROCEDURES FOR ABATEMENT OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC NOISE AND CONSTRUCTION NOISE § 772.17 Information for local officials. (a) To minimize future traffic noise impacts on currently undeveloped lands of Type I projects, a highway agency shall inform local officials within whose jurisdiction the highway project is located of: (1) Noise compatible planning concepts; (2) The best estimation of the future design year noise levels at various distances from the edge of the nearest travel lane of the highway improvement where the future noise levels meet the highway agency's definition of “approach” for undeveloped lands or properties within the project limits. At a minimum, identify the distance to the exterior noise abatement criteria in Table 1; (3) Non-eligibility for Federal-aid participation for a Type II project as described in § 772.15(b) . (b) If a highway agency chooses to participate in a Type II noise program or to use the date of development as one of the factors in determining the reasonableness of a Type I noise abatement measure, the highway agency shall have a statewide outreach program to inform local officials and the public of the items in § 772.17(a)(1) through (3).