The most common approach to reducing highway noise traffic is noise barriers, however there are many alternatives state department of transportations (DOTs) can consider that may be more context- and cost-appropriate. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that examined these alternatives to reducing highway traffic noise. Presenters provided a flowchart-based model for deciding which strategy is best, along with a handbook to evaluate noise reduction strategies and improve implementation.

This webinar is based on NCHRP Research Report 984: Breaking Barriers: Alternative Approaches to Avoiding and Reducing Highway Traffic Noise Impacts.

This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Highway Cooperative Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Transportation-Related Noise and Vibration.

The slides and recording are available. 

Webinar agenda and presenters

• Right-of-way design choices and sound absorptive treatment – Judy Rochat, Cross-Spectrum Acoustics
• Operations management strategies and implementations – Karel Cubick, ms consultants, inc.
• Practitioner’s Handbook: Choosing a strategy – Karel Cubick, ms consultants, inc.
• Highway design choices – Judy Rochat, Cross-Spectrum Acoustics
• Question and answer session moderated by Judy Rochat, Cross-Spectrum Acoustics

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify highway noise reduction strategies other than traditional noise barriers
• Evaluate available strategies for inclusion in highway projects
• Improve implementation of noise-reducing strategies and related highway traffic noise predictions

Professional Development Hours

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.

American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits

This webinar was approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners for 1.5 Certification Maintenance Credits. Please visit the Certification Maintenance section of APA’s website to claim your credits: https://www.planning.org/cm/. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.