Research Idea Details

Research Idea Scope

Develop a consistent methodology for analyzing noise impacts on different terrestrial species. Develop standard metrics and procedures for the DOTs to conduct noise analyses of our highway projects on wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic, based on science and good practice.

• Prepare a literature search focusing on noise and vibration effects on wildlife in the transportation & energy industry.  Focus on noise and vibration assessments of differing environments and species (coastal waters, inland & terrestrial) and the mitigation criteria being used to permit various projects (including restrictions, attenuation, monitoring).  With that, develop guidance for mitigation to be used on State Highway Agency projects under the agreement of governing regulatory agencies.
• Bring stakeholders together from State Highway Agencies (SHAs), FHWA and Regional/State USFWS offices to create these strategies and standards.
• Develop options for mitigation with and without monitoring that will be acceptable to regulatory agencies, such as a list of tested and viable construction methods to reduce impacts in a variety of environments.

Urgency and Payoff

Currently, DOTs have little to no guidance on how to conduct noise analyses and estimate noise impacts on wildlife from federal agencies. New guidance would save the DOTs substantial time and money addressing this issue.