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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
Turner-Fairbank logo
OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER

Source Heights Data/REMELs Research

Project Information

Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-19-0051
Project Abstract:

Federal HIghway Administration's (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM), is a regulatory tool for conducting noise studies on Type I and II projects. Two fundamental components of this tool are its Reference Energy Mean Emission Levels (REMELs), which are used to predict the noise level of automobiles, medium trucks, heavy trucks, buses and motorcycles on various pavement types, and the modeled source heights, which affect how sound will propagate over distance. The Volpe Center is assisting the FHWA to evaluate the accuracy of these data for the existing national fleet of vehicles as well as the current state of the pavement infrastructure.

Project Status:
Active
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$72,000.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
Yes
Grant/Contract ID:
  • 693JJ319N300053
FHWA Program Area:
  • Planning, Environment, and Realty
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
  • FY 2002-2022 / Planning, Environment, and Realty / Modeling and Analysis Tools
FHWA Activity:
  • Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation
  • Data and Analysis
Project Outputs:
  • Review of latest available data on REMELs and vehicle noise source heights.
  • Data collection and analysis to update REMELs and source heights (if needed).
  • Updates to TNM to reflect latest REMELs and source heights (if needed).
Project Outcomes/Impact:
  • Determination if REMELs and/or source heights need to be updated in TNM.
  • Validation of existing REMELs and Source Heights (if appropriate).
  • Improved accuracy of TNM modeling if REMELs and/or source heights need to be updated. 

This would represent a major acoustical update to TNM, and may have implications for modeling and construction of noise mitigation on projects; rulemaking and policy updates may be needed.

AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan

Contact Information

First Name:
Cecilia
Last Name:
Ho
Phone Number:
202-366-9862
Email Address:
Team:
Air Quality and Transportation Conformity Team
Office:
Office of Natural Environment
Office Code:
HEPN-10

Management Organizations

Sponsor Organization

Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty - Office of Natural Environment
Contact Role:
Contract Office Representative
Contact:

Managing Organization

Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty - Office of Natural Environment
Contact Role:
Contract Office Representative

Performing Organization

Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty - Office of Natural Environment
Contact Role:
Contract Office Representative