Quiet bridges: Design, Construction, and Modification
Focus Area
Wildlife & Ecosystems
Subcommittee
Natural Resources
Status
Archived
Cost
Under $99k
Timeframe
Under 1 year
Research Idea Scope
By spanning physical objects such as water features and valleys, bridges connect places of importance. These structures also provide a secondary benefit to wildlife as a means to navigate facilities that may otherwise prove fatal if crossed at grade. To enhance wildlife passage, the research proposal will focus on what work, if any, has been performed to reduce noise generated from bridge structures and determine whether there is a research need to further investigate “quiet bridge” opportunities. The objective is to identify (1) materials and designs to limit noise and vibration emanating from and through the structure, (2) whether application of structural materials and/or features, excluding sound barriers, exist to dampen noise, and (3) whether State DOTs have retrofitted existing structures to reduce noise adjacent to, or transmitted through, existing structures. Preliminary scope of work includes identifying a group or team to conduct (1) a search in existing literature for topical information and application, (2) outreach to Federal Highways and State DOT research divisions on the subject matter, and (3) identifying areas in need of further research.
Urgency and Payoff
Research need is ongoing, but does not rise to compelling level that requires an immediate action to address existing conditions constituting a safety threat to the motoring public. Benefits include (1) avoidance and minimization measures to offsetting facility specific effects to State and Federal trust species, (2) enhance ecosystem processes by providing exchange of species genetic material through enhanced wildlife connectivity, and (3) reduced wildlife/vehicle interactions by enhancing existing movement corridors.
Submitted
05/10/2018